West Nile virus found in second Orange County city

The West Nile virus has been detected in Santa Ana, making it the second instance of the virus being discovered in Orange County after it was first confirmed in Huntington Beach in July.

Mosquito samples found in an area bordering Garden Grove Boulevard, the Santa Ana River, Trask Avenue and Fairview Street were found to be infected with the virus. Inspectors from the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District plan to go into the area to check for sources of mosquito breeding.

What do we know about the virus

Humans and animals get the West Nile virus when bitten by an infected mosquito, but it can also pass through blood transfusions and organ transplants. Since donated blood is tested for the virus, the chances of people contracting the virus via blood transfusions and organ transplants is low.

Most people who contract the virus do not show any symptoms, but 1 in 5 will show signs such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and a rash.

Precautions to take

• Wear mosquito repellent containing picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil or the chemical compound called diethyltoluamide, or DEET, especially when the ankle biters are most active, which is at sunrise and sunset.
• Do not keep standing water around your home, so keep an eye out for water collected in clogged rain gutters, buckets, troughs, even bird feeders and ornamental water fountains.
• Call the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District if you spot dead birds or animals around your home as mosquitoes contract the virus from dead birds.
• Keep swimming pools clean. If you notice a neighborhood pool or an apartment complex pool going green, give the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District a call. The agency can be reached at (714) 971-2421.