Mosquito Testing In CT: West Nile Virus Shows Up In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — The latest round of mosquito testing in Connecticut shows a positive result for West Nile Virus in Manchester, albeit a small number.

The statistics were updated on Aug. 7.

As a result, 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 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, but 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."

Here is a sampling of the latest results in north central and eastern Connecticut:

• Columbia, Route 66, 2,886 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Franklin, Wildlife Management Area. 3,084 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Glastonbury Tryon Street, 639 mosquitoes trapped, 1 positive test
• Hartford Keney Park 1,092 mosquitoes trapped, 3 positive tests
• Manchester, Oak Grove Street, 293 mosquitoes trapped, 2 positive tests
• Mansfield, Fieldstone Drive, 277 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Somers, Durkee Road, 1,183 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• South Windsor, Burgess Road, 2,613 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Sprague, Inland Road, 811 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Stafford, Cedar Swamp, 740 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Tolland County, Bolton Lake, 698 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Willington, Pinney Hill Road, 245 mosquitoes trapped, all negative
• Windham, Bass Road 2,413 mosquitoes trapped, all negative

See the full state results here.

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.