Community Corner

County Issues West Nile Virus Alert

The Orange County Vector Control District warns residents to be on the lookout for dead birds and stagnant swimming pools.

Editor's note: The following news release was issued by the Orange County Vector Control District.

The Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) recently announced in a news release that a City of Cypress resident was the first person to test positive for West Nile Virus in Orange County this year.

In the August 6 OCVCD news release, District Manager Michael Hearst explained, “Orange County Vector Control District is reporting fewer than normal West Nile virus positives this year. This reduction should not be seen as an invitation to relax, but rather serve as reminder that our diligent control efforts help suppress disease transmission. We remind residents to continue their property inspections and maintenance during years with lower virus transmission in order to reduce the severity of future outbreaks.”

According to the news release, Cypress was also the location where OCVCD found the first mosquitoes that tested positive for the disease in 2013. OCVCD routinely tests groups of adult female mosquitoes and dead birds for the presence of West Nile Virus. To date this calendar year, four dead birds (collected from the cities of Brea, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Seal Beach) and two mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus.

Thus, OCVCD encourages Orange County residents to conduct routine property inspections for mosquito-breeding sources. The district suggests looking for any standing water around the house or neighborhood and either remove the water source, or contact OCVCD to inspect and treat the source.

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Orange County Vector Control District recommends residents take the following steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:

  • Eliminate any standing water around your house.
  • Make sure all window and door screens on your house are in good repair.
  • Wear a repellent containing DEET®, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR 3535.
  • Contact the Orange County Vector Control District to report dead birds or neglected pools.

For more information, please call 714-971-2421 or 949-654-2421, or visit www.ocvcd.org.

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