More Orange Co. Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Samples of mosquitoes collected in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Dana Point tested positive today for West Nile virus.

The three cities join a growing list topped by La Habra, which has recorded 15 samples testing positive for the virus, according to Jared Dever of the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Two years ago, Santa Ana was "more or less the epicenter of West Nile virus activity," Dever said. This year, however, the city has not had any positive samples until today with two batches, Dever said.

Anaheim has recorded five positive samples of the virus, and there have been three so far in the city of Orange, Dever said.

The other cities that have seen signs of the virus this year are Garden Grove, Irvine, La Palma, Mission Viejo. Seal Beach, Tustin, Stanton and Yorba Linda.

There have been no reports so far of the virus being transmitted to people.

Vector control officials said the highest activity of mosquitoes feeding is at dawn and dusk. They recommended insect repellents such as DEET, picaridin or lemon-oil eucalyptus, which has to be applied more frequently.

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--City News Service/File photo