Warning signs for West Nile virus posted in Garden Grove parks

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) -- Warning signs are going up in Pioneer Park in Garden Grove where mosquitos have tested positive for West Nile virus.

"Unfortunately because we weren't able to do the aerial spraying a couple of weeks ago, we are finding more and more mosquitoes infected with West Nile," said Mary-Joy Coburn, spokesperson with Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Aerial spraying, which was cancelled after protests over pesticide safety on the company hired to do the job, was unable to get the proper permit to fly over restricted air space.

Coburn says half of the mosquitos being caught in the district's mosquito traps in Orange County are testing positive for West Nile.

So far this year, 25 people in Orange County have been infected with West Nile. Last year, nine people died, and nearly 300 people became infected.

Ashley Seling is one of the survivors. The 25-year-old Orange resident contracted the virus last year after a mosquito bite.

"Two weeks later I was really sick and had a fever. I had a rash on my body, a really bad headache and neck pain," Seling said.

She was diagnosed with viral meningitis, and a spinal tap revealed she had West Nile. It took two months to recover. Now she worries about her newborn son Hudson and urges others to also follow precautions.

"West Nile Virus can be more serious for a baby or an elderly person," she said.

Authorities urge people to wear long sleeves and pants when outside at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active. They should also wear mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR 3535.

Coburn says take precautions, even if the signs aren't posted in your neighborhood.

So far, signs have already gone up in Tustin, Orange, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Garden Grove. Crews expect to finish posting signs in Fullerton, La Habra and Buena Park in the next week.