According to Orange County’s Public Health Services Department West Nile Virus (WNV) is endemic in Orange County and is expected to be a public health concern indefinitely. WNV first reached Orange County in 2003 when a few dead birds tested positive. In 2004, Orange County had its first human cases with 64 confirmed human WNV infections. Since 2004, there have continued to be human WNV infections reported each year. Because it is not possible to accurately predict the impact WNV will have on people in Orange County each year, all residents and visitors are urged to continue to take precautions against WNV infection every year.
