FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      Connecticut Department of Public Health

September 8, 2010                             Contact: William Gerrish

                                                          (860) 509-7270

                                                          Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

                                                          Contact:  Dr. Theodore Andreadis

                                                          (203) 974-8510

Hartford – The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that mosquitoes trapped in Wallingford have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in Wallingford by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.  Positive mosquitoes continue to be identified at sites in Stamford and West Haven.

“We are currently at peak activity for the West Nile virus and expect further isolations until the colder weather arrives,” said CAES Director Dr. Louis Magnarelli.

“Today’s announcement regarding West Nile virus positive mosquitoes underscores the importance for Connecticut residents to take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” said Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin.  “In previous years, most West Nile virus infections were acquired during August and September. I am urging residents to take the risk of West Nile virus infections seriously.”

So far this season, WNV-positive mosquitoes have been identified in 20 towns – Bethel, Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Manchester, Meriden, Milford, Newtown, Norwalk, New Britain, New Haven, Orange, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, West Haven, Westport and Wethersfield.  Five people, living in Bridgeport, Greenwich, New Haven, Stamford and Trumbull, have been reported with infections this year. Two additional Connecticut residents were infected while travelling out of the state. 

To monitor WNV, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state from June through October.  Mosquito traps are set every ten days at each site on a rotating basis.  Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) according to species, collection site, and date.  Each pool is cultured for the presence of viruses of public health importance including West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. 

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

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