The experiment station will trap mosquitos at 91 locations across the state once a week until the end of October. The tracking and testing program began Tuesday when workers set up 35 traps at 15 of the sites.
The experiment station will trap mosquitos at 91 locations across the state once a week until the end of October. The tracking and testing program began Tuesday when workers set up 35 traps at 15 of the sites.
âWe can collect several thousand in a night in just one trap,â Mr Andreadis said.
Mr Andreadis does not anticipate finding any infected mosquitos until early July. He said the public is at greatest risk between early August and late September.
Historically, the coastal areas in Fairfield and New Haven counties have seen the most human cases of West Nile virus. Last year, the station set a record by trapping more than 250,000 mosquitos and detected infected mosquitos in 31 towns.
âThat was very widespread for us,â Mr Andreadis said.
Due to this springâs abundant rain, Mr Andreadis predicted high numbers of mosquitos again this year. Standing water is a primary breeding ground for the insects.
In humans, the virus can lead to encephalitis, a potentially deadly swelling of the brain. Young children and older citizens are most at risk. Throughout the country last year, 9,862 people contracted the virus and 264 of them died, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number of human cases has risen in Connecticut. There were 17 cases of the West Nile virus last year and in 2002, up from six in 2001, said William Gerrish, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health.
The virus killed one state resident last year, a 73-year-old West Hartford woman.