橙县西尼罗病毒疫情严峻：今年已36人感染，卫生官吁防蚊
橙县卫生保健局（OC Health Care Agency）确认，今年橙县西尼罗病毒（West Nile Virus）疫情严峻，已报告36起人类感染病例，并出现今年首批相关死亡病例。卫生官员敦促居民采取防蚊措施，因为蚊子季节尚未结束。
疫情始于8月5日，一名安纳海姆居民确诊为今年橙县首例人类感染病例。县卫生官雷吉娜·陈西奥-黄博士（Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong）当时表示：“西尼罗病毒在橙县是地方性流行病，每年夏季复发并持续到秋季。今年已多次检测到携带病毒的蚊子，预示这可能是一个严重的病毒季。”
截至9月下旬，橙县已报告36起人类感染。9月底，卫生局确认今年首批西尼罗病毒相关死亡病例，死者为老年人。一名61岁的安纳海姆男子在感染病毒后在重症监护室住了24天后不幸去世。
卫生官员指出，由于约80%的感染者没有症状，且大多数西尼罗热病例不会就医检测，报告的病例数大大低估了实际感染人数。
西尼罗病毒感染的症状包括发烧、头痛、身体疼痛和疲劳。约20%的感染者会出现这些症状。如出现严重头痛、颈部僵硬、意识混乱、肌肉无力或视力丧失等神经侵袭性疾病症状，应立即就医。50岁以上人群和有基础疾病者出现严重并发症的风险更高。
目前没有预防西尼罗病毒的疫苗，也没有特效治疗药物，防蚊是唯一可靠的保护措施。卫生局建议：
- 清除住所周围所有积水（花盆、宠物水碗等），减少蚊子滋生地
- 确保门窗纱窗完好
- 使用含避蚊胺（DEET）、派卡瑞丁、柠檬桉油或IR3535的EPA注册驱蚊剂
- 在蚊子最活跃的黎明和黄昏减少户外活动
- 户外穿长袖衬衫和长裤
蚊虫控制信息可在橙县蚊虫与病媒控制区网站（www.ocvector.org）查询。
来源：OC Health Care Agency、Medical Daily（2026年9月）
West Nile Virus Hits Orange County Hard: 36 Cases This Year, Health Officials Urge Precautions
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed a severe West Nile virus (WNV) season this year, with 36 human infections reported and the first WNV-related deaths of 2026 confirmed. Health officials urge residents to take mosquito precautions, as mosquito season is not over yet.
The season began on Aug. 5, when an Anaheim resident tested positive, becoming the first human WNV infection in Orange County this year. "West Nile virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall," said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. "There have been multiple detections of WNV positive mosquitoes in Orange County, signaling that this could be an intense WNV season."
By late September, the county had reported 36 human infections. In late September, HCA confirmed the first human deaths associated with WNV infection in 2026, both in older adults. A 61-year-old Anaheim man died after contracting the virus and spending 24 days in intensive care.
Health officials note that because about 80% of people infected with WNV have no symptoms, and most West Nile fever cases do not seek medical care or get tested, reported case counts greatly underestimate the actual number of infections.
Symptoms of West Nile infection include fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. About 20% of infected people develop these symptoms. Anyone who develops serious symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease — severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or vision loss — should seek medical care immediately. People over 50 and those with underlying medical conditions face higher risk of serious complications.
There is no human vaccine for WNV and no specific antiviral treatment; preventing bites is the only reliable protection. HCA recommends:
- Emptying all standing water around your property (flowerpots, pet bowls) to reduce mosquito breeding areas
- Keeping window and door screens in good repair
- Using EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535
- Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors
Mosquito control information is available at www.ocvector.org.
Sources: OC Health Care Agency, Medical Daily (September 2026)
图片来源：Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, 作者 Walkabout12
