Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus

HARTFORD — The State Mosquito Management Program announced on July 20 that the first mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) have appeared in Stamford. The state is recommending that residents take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes trapped in Stamford on July 11 were shown to be carrying the virus in tests performed by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) said.

“This is an indication that we should expect that West Nile virus may continue to build up in Connecticut through the summer and early fall,” said Dr Theordore G. Andreadis, chief medical entomologist at CAES.

The CAES has established a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities in the state, including Newtown. Mosquito traps are set by the CAES every 10 days at each site on a rotating basis.

 “This is the seventh year that West Nile virus has been found in Connecticut. The recent announcement of WNV-positive mosquitoes in Stamford should be taken seriously,” said DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, MD.

Infected wild birds also are monitored and have been a useful indicator of the presence of WNV in the northeastern United States. The wild bird surveillance program emphasizes reporting and testing of dead adult crows and birds related to crows, including blue jays and ravens, and raptors such as hawks. The state is asking the public to report sightings of dead birds to their local health departments throughout the summer and fall. To date 16 birds were tested and all were negative.

Persons older than 50 years of age are more likely than younger persons to suffer severe health consequences if they become infected with the virus. Last year only one Connecticut resident was diagnosed with the virus, and that infection occurred while traveling out of the state. From 2000 to 2004 41 persons were confirmed with West Nile virus, including 38 who acquired the infection in Connecticut and three while out of the state. Onset of illness occurred from the last week of July to the second week of November. One of the patients died in 2001. Overall, the age of the patients ranged from 6 to 89.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include minimizing time outdoors at dawn and dusk.

 Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.

 Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts (which is also good protection against deer ticks that carry Lyme disease). Clothing material should be tightly woven.

Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.

Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors; always use them according to label instructions. When using DEET, the most widely used insect repellent, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors. For example, 6 percent concentration lasts approximately two hours, 20 percent lasts four hours. Wash treated skin when returning indoors.

Do not apply DEET under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, to the hands of children, or to infants less than two months old.

To reduce mosquitoes around the house, dispose of water-holding containers such as ceramic pots, used tires, and tire swings.

Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling so water does not collect in them.

Clean clogged roof gutters.

 Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use such as wading pools and wheelbarrows.

Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and, when not in use, pool covers.

Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect.

For more information contact the Department of Environmental Protection website at http://dep.state.ct.us or the 24-hour toll-free recorded mosquito information hotline 866-968-5463. There also is information at http://dph.state.ct.us and the CAES website at http://case.state.ct.us.