Health Director Not Surprised—

Local Mosquitoes Test

Positive For West Nile Virus

By John Voket

It came as no surprise to Health District Director Donna Culbert when she learned Wednesday that mosquitoes recently trapped in Newtown tested positive for the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.

“It’s the time of year when we do see positive tests for West Nile Virus and, this year, there does seem to be an amplification of EEE in the state of Connecticut,” Ms Culbert told The Bee shortly after receiving the notification from the State Mosquito Management Program September 30.

That report indicated mosquitoes trapped in Monroe, Newtown, Plainfield, and Stonington between September 17 and 21 tested positive for the EEE virus. These are the first EEE-positive mosquitoes identified in these four towns by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.

“We are finding increased EEE activity throughout eastern and central Connecticut and expect to continue to identify infected mosquitoes through September and October. depending on the weather,” said Theodore G. Andreadis, PhD, chief medical entomologist, CAES.

According to Ms Culbert, the public health prevention message remains the same: “Avoid mosquito bites when possible; avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active; wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; and use insect repellent.”

The local health director also reiterated earlier warnings about the need to reduce mosquitoes by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs, and to repair or replace window and door screens.

“Mosquito bites are right up there along with tick bites as an ever-present risk that Newtown residents need to be aware of and take steps to protect themselves,” Ms Culbert said.

For information on EEE and West Nile virus and what you can do to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website at www.ct.gov/mosquito.