West Nile Virus Alert Issued In West Hartford

West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local health officials have confirmed that a mosquito in the community has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

As a result, the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District said residents should take preventive measures to limit their exposure to mosquitoes.

They include using mosquito repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, limiting your outdoor exposure from dusk to dawn, using air conditioning, installing window and door screens, and removing standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites around the home.

"There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people," wrote the health department in an alert.

"Fortunately, most people infected with the West Nile Virus do not feel sick. Approximately one in five infected individuals develops a fever and other symptoms."

The health department said about one out of 150 infected people develops a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

For more information on personal protective measures, visit the CDC Mosquitoes website.