Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Meriden

MERIDEN, CT — Mosquitoes that were trapped in Meriden on Aug. 7 by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have tested positive for West Nile virus, officials announced Tuesday.

The Meriden testing site is Falcon Park.

“I ask everyone to prevent mosquito bites by eliminating standing water around your home, making sure your door and window screens are in good repair, and covering bare skin and using insect repellent when outside – especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” said Lea Crown, Meriden director of health and human services.

While most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms, about one in five people develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, according to a news release.

“Some populations, such as those persons over 60 and those with certain medical conditions, can develop a more severe illness affecting the central nervous system such as encephalitis or meningitis,” the news release states. “Persons should call their doctor if they develop the symptoms described above. In Connecticut, there has been no reported cases of human infection of WNV this year.”

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, the Meriden Department of Health and Human Services recommends residents should:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to the directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors. Follow the instructions for application on the product.

Prevention tips should be followed until the first “hard frost.” According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, a hard, or killing frost is defined meteorologically as two consecutive hours of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit or three hours below 32 degrees.

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