West Nile Virus Found In Mosquitoes Across 21 CT Towns: Health Officials

CONNECTICUT — State health officials are warning Connecticut residents of an increased risk of West Nile virus infection following the detection of virus-positive mosquitoes in 21 towns.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) identified mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Bethel, Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, New Haven, North Branford, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, and Wethersfield. No human infections have been reported so far this season.

“We are seeing a geographic expansion of West Nile virus activity to new towns in Connecticut,” said John Shepard, medical entomologist at CAES. “We anticipate further build-up of West Nile virus in mosquitoes with increased risk of human infection from now through September.”

Dr. Philip Armstrong, chief scientist at CAES, emphasized the importance of personal protection. “Now is the time to take precautions against mosquito bites,” he said, encouraging the use of insect repellent and protective clothing, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

To reduce mosquito exposure, health officials recommend:

• Avoiding outdoor activity during peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn)
• Using EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, or 2-undecanone
• Wearing long sleeves, pants, and light-colored, tightly woven clothing
• Using permethrin-treated clothing and gear
• Ensuring window and door screens are intact
• Using mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or covering strollers and baby carriers

The CAES operates 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 88 municipalities, with traps rotated every ten days and increased to weekly testing following any detection of virus activity. Mosquitoes are grouped and tested by species, location, and date, with results shared with local health departments and available on the CAES website.

Connecticut’s mosquito surveillance and response efforts are coordinated by several agencies, including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, CAES, and the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Connecticut.

More information about West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, mosquito test results, and prevention can be found at the state government website here.