Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus continue to be trapped in southwestern part of state

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Connecticut Department of Public Health

August 22, 2011                                                         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 two new towns on August 10, 2011 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These results represent the first positive mosquitoes identified in South Windsor and West Haven by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year. In addition, WNV-positive mosquitoes continue to be trapped in testing sites previously identified in southwestern Connecticut.

"As we are consistently finding mosquitoes infected with West Nile in certain communities and seeing the virus spread to other towns, the risk for human infection is increasing as well," said Dr. Matthew Cartter, State Epidemiologist for the Department of Public Health. "Simple steps like using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and staying indoors during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, can go a long way in preventing mosquito bites and mosquito-borne disease."

In 2011, WNV-positive mosquitoes have been trapped in 23 municipalities: Branford, Bridgeport, Cromwell, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hamden, Litchfield, Milford, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, Norwalk, Orange, South Windsor, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven, Westport, and Woodbridge. No Connecticut residents have been identified with illnesses related to WNV infections this year. In 2010, WNV-positive mosquitoes were trapped in 24 municipalities with 11 reported human cases.

 “We are now entering the most critical time of the summer when virus activity is at its peak,” said Dr. Theodore G. Andreadis, Chief Medical Entomologist, CAES. “We strongly encourage people living in affected communities to take necessary precautions to reduce contact with biting mosquitoes, especially during the early evening hours”.

The state uses a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities maintained by the CAES to monitor WNV activity. For a map of towns and sites where WNV-positive mosquitoes have been identified, please go to: http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2819&q=482424.

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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