Tested Mosquitos In Tolland, Mansfield, Willington Prompt EEE Warning

TOLLAND COUNTY, CT — An Eastern Equine Encephalitis advisory has been issued after positive tests from trapped mosquitos in Eastern Highlands Health District towns.

Health district officials Thursday said that, while no human cases of EEE have been identified in the State, mosquitoes recently collected from traps in Mansfield, Tolland, Willington and other eastern Connecticut towns have tested positive for the disease.

"All residents are encouraged to take personal protective measures to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes," health district officials said.

This includes:

• 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.