West Nile Virus

The first two symptomatic cases of the West Nile Virus in Orange County were confirmed Friday, county health officials said. An 80-year-old Anaheim man fell ill in July, and a 49-year-old woman in central Orange County became ill in June. Both remain hospitalized. The woman may have become infected outside the county, officials said. There are more cases of West Nile Virus in the fall, and residents should take precautions leading into September and October, health-care officials say. The public is urged to do what they can to prevent mosquito bites, including using insect repellent containing the chemical DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or products containing IR3535.

Marisa O'Neil Two dead birds infected with the West Nile virus, which can be fatal to humans and has killed one man in Orange County, were found in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa in July. A dead crow found July 16 at Mariners and Dover drives tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness, Orange County Vector Control District informed Newport Beach city officials Thursday. "Needless to say, when we got the news, it was a shock," Councilman Steve Bromberg said.

More than a dozen birds in Costa Mesa and two in Newport Beach have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, county officials said Friday. Orange County Vector Control District officials continued to emphasize preventive measures to Newport-Mesa residents and people countywide Friday as they battle a marked increase in positive tests for the potentially fatal disease in birds. More than 500 birds this year have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, which is transferred by mosquitoes, said Michael Hearst, Vector Control spokesman.

A recent inspection showed no mosquitoes in Lower Buck Gully, a city official said this week. "Vector Control was out last week," Robert Stein, an assistant Newport Beach engineer, said in an email. "No sightings of mosquitoes. " Some residents along Lower Buck Gully expressed concern about potential mosquito problems because an erosion project that was completed earlier this year resulted in standing water that by spring had turned green with algae. At the time, inspectors said there was no sign of mosquito larvae but promised to continue to monitor the area.

Three Huntington Beach residents, a Newport Beach man and an Irvine woman were among 45 people who were reported to have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Orange County this year as of Nov. 20. None of those cases were fatal. Of the 107 total avian cases countywide, four birds were found in Huntington, two in Costa Mesa, one in Newport, one in Laguna Beach and one in Irvine. No horses have tested positive this year. The tallies were released in an Orange County Health Care Agency report last week.

About 80% of people infected with the virus show no symptoms at all. About 20% of people may develop mild symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms usually last a few days and don't require medical attention. About one in 150 people may develop a serious case of the virus. Those symptoms include a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, paralysis and coma.

Deepa Bharath The West Nile Virus has not quite reached Newport-Mesa yet, but its only a matter of time, Orange County health officials said Friday. California's first fatality as a result of the virus was reported Thursday when a 57-year-old man died of the infection. Heath care officials are not identifying the man or releasing information about his place of residence. Most local cases of infected birds and animals have been reported in North Orange County.

When Brenda Chandler saw a dead crow near her neighbor’s backyard two weeks ago, she noticed that it looked as though it were asleep. The Eastside Costa Mesa resident said she found the crow’s peaceful appearance alarming; it showed no signs of distress. It hadn’t been in a fight or attacked by a cat — but something killed it. A week later, an investigation by Orange County Vector Control revealed the bird was infected with West Nile Virus. “It bothers me. You never think it’s going to get to you, get that close,” Chandler said.

Something missing in Tuesday morning Pilot I picked up my Pilot this morning and was all set to enjoy the Tuesday morning column by Judge Robert Gardner. Then I remembered he's taking a well-earned rest. But why can't you continue to publish his comments? "Peanuts" is running a couple years after Charles Schulz died. I think we'd all enjoy it. It seems a pity to have to let go of that Tuesday-morning list. ROSEMARY STEINBRECHER Newport Beach Not ready to turn key on permit parking Regarding the Pilot story Wednesday, "Council changes key on parking," I resent homeowners asking for and getting their street posted as "No parking without permit."

Three Huntington Beach residents, a Newport Beach man and an Irvine woman were among 45 people who were reported to have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Orange County this year as of Nov. 20. None of those cases were fatal. Of the 107 total avian cases countywide, four birds were found in Huntington, two in Costa Mesa, one in Newport, one in Laguna Beach and one in Irvine. No horses have tested positive this year. The tallies were released in an Orange County Health Care Agency report last week.

A recent inspection showed no mosquitoes in Lower Buck Gully, a city official said this week. "Vector Control was out last week," Robert Stein, an assistant Newport Beach engineer, said in an email. "No sightings of mosquitoes. " Some residents along Lower Buck Gully expressed concern about potential mosquito problems because an erosion project that was completed earlier this year resulted in standing water that by spring had turned green with algae. At the time, inspectors said there was no sign of mosquito larvae but promised to continue to monitor the area.

When Brenda Chandler saw a dead crow near her neighbor’s backyard two weeks ago, she noticed that it looked as though it were asleep. The Eastside Costa Mesa resident said she found the crow’s peaceful appearance alarming; it showed no signs of distress. It hadn’t been in a fight or attacked by a cat — but something killed it. A week later, an investigation by Orange County Vector Control revealed the bird was infected with West Nile Virus. “It bothers me. You never think it’s going to get to you, get that close,” Chandler said.

More than a dozen birds in Costa Mesa and two in Newport Beach have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, county officials said Friday. Orange County Vector Control District officials continued to emphasize preventive measures to Newport-Mesa residents and people countywide Friday as they battle a marked increase in positive tests for the potentially fatal disease in birds. More than 500 birds this year have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, which is transferred by mosquitoes, said Michael Hearst, Vector Control spokesman.

The first two symptomatic cases of the West Nile Virus in Orange County were confirmed Friday, county health officials said. An 80-year-old Anaheim man fell ill in July, and a 49-year-old woman in central Orange County became ill in June. Both remain hospitalized. The woman may have become infected outside the county, officials said. There are more cases of West Nile Virus in the fall, and residents should take precautions leading into September and October, health-care officials say. The public is urged to do what they can to prevent mosquito bites, including using insect repellent containing the chemical DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or products containing IR3535.

Having just agreed with my gardener to pay off $100 on his citation for using his hose to wash down the gutter in front of my house after his weekly maintenance on July 30 I have the following comments to make, the first of which is to advise the city of Newport Beach to add a directive to its pamphlet "How To Protect Our Bay and Ocean." City officials need to advise homeowners to pass the information on to all contractors coming about their premises and to publish the information in Spanish and to set forth the effective date of the code.

Something missing in Tuesday morning Pilot I picked up my Pilot this morning and was all set to enjoy the Tuesday morning column by Judge Robert Gardner. Then I remembered he's taking a well-earned rest. But why can't you continue to publish his comments? "Peanuts" is running a couple years after Charles Schulz died. I think we'd all enjoy it. It seems a pity to have to let go of that Tuesday-morning list. ROSEMARY STEINBRECHER Newport Beach Not ready to turn key on permit parking Regarding the Pilot story Wednesday, "Council changes key on parking," I resent homeowners asking for and getting their street posted as "No parking without permit."

Marisa O'Neil West Nile fears have prompted a flood of calls from people worried about contracting the mosquito-borne illness. Public services departments for both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa have asked residents to clear their properties of any standing water that could breed mosquitoes. But, city workers said, they're also doing their best to control mosquito populations. "It does help to keep the neighborhood clean," said Costa Mesa City Engineer Fariba Fazeli.

PUBLIC SAFETY Watching for signs of West Nile virus in Newport-Mesa City and county officials this week said they will continue their efforts to stop the spread of West Nile virus but don't plan any significant changes now that two birds have died from the disease. Residents expressed concerns that the city isn't doing enough to prevent breeding areas for mosquitoes, the insects that carry the disease. City officials said that Orange County Vector Control District handles the majority of mosquito control, and residents can do their part by making sure they eliminate standing water on their properties.