EEE-Infected Mosquitoes Detected In New London County Town

VOLUNTOWN, CT — The State Mosquito Management Program is warning residents about the risk of infection after finding Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)-infected mosquitoes in a New London County town.

Mosquitoes trapped in the Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown on Sept. 5 tested positive for EEE, according to the Uncas Health District.

EEE is a rare but serious illness in humans. Four to eight cases are reported in a typical year in the U.S. EEE is the most severe mosquito-transmitted disease in the U.S., with approximately 40 percent mortality and neurological impairment in most survivors.

Eastern equine encephalitis-infected mosquitoes have been detected in Hampton, Killingly, Thompson, Tolland, and Woodstock.

Mosquitoes can only acquire the virus by feeding on infected wild birds, according to the Uncas Health District.

"In most years, the virus is found only in species of mosquitoes which feed on birds, but occasionally the virus can be passed on to other mosquito species known to bite people and horses," the health district statement reads. "The virus cannot be passed from person to person or from horses to humans. The risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases such as EEE virus usually increases through the late summer and early fall. Mosquitoes are active until the first heavy frost."

West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes have also been detected in the following towns: Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Colchester, Danbury, Darien, East Haddam, East Haven, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Hartford, Hebron, Killingworth, Manchester, Mansfield, Middlefield, Milford, New Canaan, New Haven, North Stonington, Norwalk, South Windsor, Stamford, Tolland, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield, and Willington.

Two human cases of WNV infection have also been reported in Connecticut so far this year.

"We are seeing a late season rise in the numbers of mosquitoes carrying EEE virus in communities in eastern Connecticut,” Philip Armstrong, medical entomologist at the CAES, said in a statement. “In addition, we are continuing to detect West Nile virus in numerous towns throughout the state. Late summer-early fall is the critical time of the year when virus activity reaches its peak in the mosquito population and the risk is expected to continue until the first hard frost in October."

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in the United States. Since 2000, there have been 181 human cases of West Nile virus, including four fatalities, among Connecticut residents.

The state is encouraging residents to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, residents should:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn 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-methane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone when it is necessary to be outdoors.
• 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 loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.