West Nile Disease Arrives In Connecticut

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — It seems as though Covid-19 has hijacked the health spotlight for some time now, taking focus away from other deadly threats that are still very real in our area in regard to health issues, such as West Nile Disease, (the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the United States) which has been prevalent in Connecticut since 1999 and this year will be no exception experts say.

Creating the perfect storm for mosquitoes with high humidity and lots of rain, this summer has been a mosquitoes dream and now they are out in droves, infecting people in the state.

According to an article written by Patch Staffer Rich Kirby, Philip Armstrong, medical entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, said the conditions in the state are keenly primed for WNV transmission. "These mosquitoes are most abundant in urban and suburban areas with dense human populations," Armstrong said. "We anticipate continued risk for human infection until mosquito activity subsides in October."

The article goes on to state that Tuesday, the Connecticut State Department of Public Health announced that two Connecticut residents have tested positive for West Nile virus infection. These two cases of WNV-associated illness are the first to be identified in Connecticut this season. The patients are between 70-79 years of age and became ill during the third week of August with meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Both are hospitalized and recovering. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of antibodies to WNV. The patients are residents of West Haven and Bridgeport.

Symptoms of WNV include fever, body aches, joint pain, headache or rash. According to Kirby's article, one out of 10 cases of severe WNV are fatal, however, eight out of every 10 people infected do not develop symptoms at all.

Tips for reducing mosquitoes around homes:

• Eliminate standing water suitable for mosquitoes. Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, and tire swings.
• Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling.
• Clean clogged roof gutters.
• Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use, such as wading pools and wheelbarrows.
• Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools. When pools are not in use, use pool covers and drain when necessary.

Tips for avoiding mosquito bites when outdoors:

• Mosquitoes require a blood meal for reproduction. The following are measures that can help reduce bites from mosquitoes that feed on people:
• Minimize outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven and loose-fitting.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
• Consider the use of CDC-recommended mosquito repellents, containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone, and apply according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
• When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6 percent lasts approximately two hours and 20 percent for four hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than two months old.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair to avoid mosquito bites when indoors.

For more information on the West Nile virus and how to prevent mosquito bites, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

With reporting from Rich Kirby.