State Reports Positive Mosquitoes for West Nile Virus in Three More Connecticut Towns

The State Mosquito Management Program announced that mosquitoes trapped in three new towns on August 11 - 16, 2011 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These results represent the first positive mosquitoes identified in East Haven, Groton and Westbrook by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year. In addition, WNV-positive mosquitoes continue to be trapped in testing sites previously identified in southwestern Connecticut.

In 2011, WNV-positive mosquitoes have been trapped in 26 municipalities: Branford, Bridgeport, Cromwell, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Groton, Hamden, Litchfield, Milford, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, Norwalk, Orange, South Windsor, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven, Westbrook, Westport, and Woodbridge. No Connecticut residents have been identified with illnesses related to WNV infections this year. In 2010, WNV-positive mosquitoes were trapped in 24 municipalities with 11 reported human cases.

"We are currently in the most critical time of the summer when virus activity is at its peak" said Dr. Theodore G. Andreadis, Chief Medical Entomologist, CAES. "We strongly encourage people living in affected communities to take necessary precautions to reduce contact with biting mosquitoes, especially during the early evening hours."

The state uses a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities maintained by the CAES to monitor WNV activity. For a map of towns and sites where WNV-positive mosquitoes have been identified, please go to: www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2819&q=482424.

For information on West Nile virus and what you can do to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program Web site at www.ct.gov/mosquito.