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State Reports Mosquitoes Positive for West Nile Virus in Stamford

Hartford (8.8.07) - The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that mosquitoes trapped in Stamford on July 30, 2007 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in Stamford by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.

"It is imperative that all Connecticut residents take proper precautions to avoid mosquitoes," said Governor M. Jodi Rell. "This is particularly important for people over the age of 50."

So far this summer, positive mosquitoes have been identified in three towns - Manchester, Stamford, and West Haven. The positive mosquitoes were Culex pipiens, a species known to be important in WNV transmission in our region. Two persons, residents of Danbury and New London, are recovering after having been diagnosed with WNV-associated illnesses last month.

"The continued isolations of West Nile virus from mosquitoes and the previously announced identification of two Connecticut residents with West Nile virus infections indicate that the virus is building across the state," said Theodore G. Andreadis, Ph.D., Chief Medical Entomologist, CAES. "We will continue to monitor mosquitoes through the summer and fall."

"We want Connecticut's residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful state. At this time, it is important to realize that mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, and that simple measures like long pants, long-sleeved shirts, head coverings and socks together with insect repellent will minimize exposure to mosquitoes which may carry the virus," stated Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH, MBA. "In addition, we urge people to seek out and empty standing water in and around their homes."

To monitor WNV, the CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state from June through October. Mosquito traps are set by the CAES every ten days at each site on a rotating basis. Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) for testing according to species, collection site, and date.

Most people who are infected with WNV and become ill will have a mild illness that may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or a skin rash. Less frequently, people develop severe illness of the nervous system that can also include neck stiffness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Persons older than 50 years of age are more likely than younger persons to suffer the more severe health consequences if they become infected with WNV.

In 2006, eight Connecticut residents were diagnosed with WNV infection acquired in the state (http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/infectiousdise/pdf/Vol27No4_FNLCLR.pdf) and one person was infected while traveling out of the state. One person, a resident of New Haven over 80 years of age, died.

The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is an interagency program consisting of the Department of 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.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:

• Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. 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 according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin.
• When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately two hours and 20% 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.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home include:

• 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 birdbaths on a weekly basis.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, use pool covers and drain when necessary.
• Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Additional resources for information on West Nile virus and mosquito management:

• The Department of Public Health website at www.dph.state.ct.us
• The Department of Environmental Protection website at www.ct.gov/dep
• The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Web site at www.ct.gov/caes
• The Department of Agriculture Web site at www.ct.gov/doag
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov