By John Voket

Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert was notified by state officials on August 28 that at least one West Nile virus (WNV) infected mosquito had been recently trapped in Newtown.

Ms Culbert told The Newtown Bee that she was not surprised at the news and stressed that homeowners should follow prescribed steps to clear their properties of standing water where more mosquitoes can breed.

She also strongly encouraged Newtown residents take steps to reduce the likelihood of being bitten. (Tips to reduce breeding locations and prevent bites are published below).

The localized concern came on the heels of a Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) announcement that a resident of Southington tested positive for WNV. This is the third human case of WNV-associated illness identified in Connecticut this season.

The first two cases were in residents of Fairfield and Newington.

The patient, who is between 70-79 years of age, became ill during the first week of August with encephalitis, was hospitalized, and is now recovering. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of antibodies to WNV. The patient did not travel out of the area before becoming ill.

West Nile virus has been detected in the state every year since 1999. Before 2018, 134 human cases of WNV were diagnosed in Connecticut residents, including three fatalities. Last year, three Connecticut residents were diagnosed with WNV infection. For more information on WNV human cases in Connecticut, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Infectious-Diseases/EEI/West-Nile-Virus-Statistics.

So, what are the symptoms of WNV?

About 1 in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will have symptoms that can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days to as long as several weeks.

Unfortunately, approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know in advance if you will develop an illness or not.

Reducing Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes require water for reproduction. The following are measures that can help reduce mosquitoes:

*Eliminate standing water suitable for mosquitoes. 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.

*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. When pools are not in use, use pool covers and drain when necessary.

Avoiding Bites

Mosquitoes require a blood meal for reproduction. The following are measures that can help reduce bites from mosquitoes that feed on people:

*Be particularly careful at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

*Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven.

*Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.

*Consider the use of CDC-recommended mosquito repellents, containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone, and apply according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

*When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, six percent lasts approximately two hours and 20 percent for four hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than two months old.

Also, be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair to avoid mosquito bites when indoors.

The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Connecticut Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science.

These agencies are responsible for monitoring the potential public health threat of mosquito-borne diseases. The CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state.

Mosquito traps are set Monday through Thursday nights at each site every ten days on a rotating basis. Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) for testing according to species, collection site, and date. Positive findings are reported to local health departments and on the CAES website at www.ct.gov/caes/mosquitotesting.

For information on West Nile virus and how to prevent mosquito bites, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website at www.ct.gov/mosquito.