West Nile Virus is an epidemic in Orange County and should be considered an ongoing threat to public health.
The California drought and warm weather decrease the time required for mosquitoes to develop from egg to adult while high temperatures increase humans’ outdoor activities. This combination results in larger populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes coming in contact with county residents.
Summer mosquitoes are breeding ahead of schedule at an alarming rate and volume in Orange County cities, prompting officials at the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) to caution county residents now against mosquito bites.
The 2014 West Nile Virus (WNV) outbreak in Orange County stressed the danger of this virus and its impact on the health and well being of local citizens. The county recorded 282 human infections of the disease last year, seven of which resulted in deaths.
“The district has identified areas of concern and has taken a more proactive approach this year based on biological and ecological findings,” said Robert Cummings, Director of Scientific Technical Services at OCMVCD. “We started our surveillance program early and have hired additional help.”
The district conducts mosquito surveillance and routinely tests groups of adult female mosquitoes (mosquito pools) and dead birds for the presence of West Nile Virus. While there are currently no positive cases of WNV in the mosquitoes and dead birds collected and tested in the earlier months of 2015, the district urges citizens to remain diligent in continuing to inspect and maintain their properties to reduce the severity of future outbreaks.
The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District makes the following recommendations to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:
• Eliminate any standing water around your home.
• Make sure all window and door screens on your property are in good repair.
• Wear a repellent containing DEET®, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR 3535.
• Contact the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District to report dead birds or neglected pools.
For more information, please contact the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District at 714-971-2421 or 949-654-2421 or visit online at www.ocvcd.org.