Connecticut Confirms Season’s First West Nile Virus-Positive Mosquitoes

CONNECTICUT — The first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus in Connecticut this season were detected in Bridgeport, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The mosquitoes were collected on June 11 as part of the state’s routine surveillance program.

The announcement was made Tuesday by the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program, which includes several state agencies responsible for monitoring mosquito-borne diseases.

“This is one of the earlier detections of the virus recorded during the past 25 years of the statewide monitoring program,” said John Shepard, medical entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES).

Dr. Philip Armstrong, chief scientist at the CAES, said recent rainfall and ongoing heat are likely to increase mosquito activity and the spread of the virus. He urged residents to use mosquito repellents, cover exposed skin, and avoid outdoor activity during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, residents are advised to:

• Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• Ensure window and door screens are in good condition
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or protecting children in strollers

The CAES operates 108 trapping stations in 88 municipalities across the state. Traps are rotated weekly, with increased frequency following any detection of viruses. Test results and public health alerts are shared with local health departments and posted online here.

The mosquito surveillance and response effort is a collaboration between CAES, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture, and the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at UConn.