Mosquitoes in Wallingford Test Positive for West Nile Virus

State and local officials have confirmed that mosquitoes trapped from a site on South Main Street in Wallingford have been tested positive for West Nile Virus.

In a letter posted to the school district's website, Wallingford Director of Public Health Eloise Hazelwood said her office was notified Thursday by the state Department of Public Health about the West Nile mosquitoes in town.


But, Hazelwood said it is common at this point in the summer season for WNV-positive mosquitoes. She advised that residents should take standard precautions to reduce exposure to the bugs.

"It is not necessary to cancel all outside activities," Hazelwood said in the letter. "When possible, limit outside activities, especially near wooded areas, one hour before dawn and one hour after it starts to get dark."

She also recommended the usual precautions: wear long sleeves and pants and put on bug spray. But, young children should not use any bug spray product directly on their skin that contains more than 15 percent of the pesticide DEET, Hazelwood said.

Read the full letter for further information.

Meanwhile, the school district said it is working with various departments that operate outdoors — such as the athletic department, vo-ag program and band director — to address the concern arisen from the WNV mosquitoes.

"Coaches and the band director have been instructed to end practices before dusk and students in our Wildlife Biology program will not use the wooded areas surrounding the school for field study until the issue has been resolved," the district said in a post on its website. "We will continue to work with the Health Department to monitor the situation and we will keep you informed regarding the issue."

Read more about West Nile Virus on www.ct.gov/dph