EEE-Infected Mosquitoes Found In Groton, Other Area Towns

GROTON, CT — Mosquitoes carrying eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been found in 16 Connecticut towns, including Groton.

The mosquitoes were found in Canterbury, Chester, Farmington, Griswold, Groton, Killingworth, Ledyard, Lyme, Manchester, Newtown, North Stonington, Plainfield, Sterling, Stonington, Trumbull, and Voluntown.

In August, the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection sprayed for mosquitoes in the Mt. Misery area of Pachaug State Forest in Griswold, where mammal-biting mosquitoes carrying EEE have been consistently detected.

An infected mosquito was found in Groton on Sept. 12.

No human cases have been reported this year, though human cases usually lag behind detections in mosquitoes, according to a statement from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES).

"Mosquitoes are still active, and residents should continue to take measures to prevent mosquito bites especially during episodes of warmer weather," said CAES Chief Scientist Philip Armstrong.

EEE is a rare but serious illness in humans with four to eight cases reported across the country each year. This year case numbers have been higher with 13 human cases reported in seven states mostly clustered in the Northeast. Two of these cases were fatal.

Officials are advising residents to take extra precautions to protect against mosquitoes when recreating outdoors.

They also advise those who head outdoors for recreation to take the following steps to minimize the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes:

• Minimize time spent outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light-colored, loose-fitting, and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• If camping, ensure tent screens and doors are in good repair and are securely fastened when not in use.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants.
• Residents are also encouraged to take steps at home to protect against mosquitoes, such as making sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair. In addition, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so avoid letting water collect in old tires, wheelbarrows, wading pools, etc.

More information on mosquito control around the home can be found on the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

For information on mosquito-borne diseases, precautions to avoid mosquito bites, and the latest mosquito test results, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.