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BROOKLYN — The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has identified West Nile virus (WNV) infected mosquitoes in 17 Connecticut towns this season: Branford, Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hartford, Ledyard, Milford, New Canaan, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, West Haven, Westport, and Woodstock. There are no reported human cases of WNV so far this season.
Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the CAES, said “We anticipate further geographic spread and build-up of West Nile virus in mosquitoes, with increased risk of human infection, from now through September.”
With the identification of West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes in northeast CT, the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) is reminding residents to take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
“West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States and reemerges every summer in Connecticut, so this news was expected,” said NDDH Director of Health Susan Starkey. “WNV can cause severe disease in humans. To help residents lower their risk of acquiring mosquito-borne illnesses, NDDH developed the SWAT campaign that offers tips to avoid being bitten.”
SWAT is an easy acronym to remember to prevent mosquito bites:
• Screens on doors and windows should be tight-fitting and in good repair; also use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Apply EPA-approved insect repellent according to instructions when going outdoors and minimize time outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Toss any standing water that may be collecting on your property. Water in wading pools, bird baths, buckets, barrels, flowerpots, pet dishes, and tire swings should be changed or emptied regularly. Clogged roof gutters should be cleaned.
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