DPH Confirms the First Positive Case of West Nile Virus in Connec

Bridgeport CT

17 August, 2020

2:19 PM

Description

The CT Department of Public Health confirmed the first positive case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a Waterbury resident. The resident is between 40-49 years of age and is believed to have contracted the disease in early July. The Trumbull Health Department encourages residents to take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes. "Mosquito activity is on the rise," said Luci Bango, Trumbull Health Department Director of Health. "This is not surprising for this time of year. The Health Department encourages all residents to take precautions, especially during dawn and dusk, when mosquitos are most active." The State Mosquito Management Program confirmed that mosquitoes trapped in Newington have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). These are the first positive mosquitoes in town identified by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year. Last year, WNV was detected in 82 pools of mosquitoes from 23 towns. The majority of WNV activity was detected in densely populated urban and suburban regions in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven counties, which is consistent with prior years. To prevent WNV: Limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Wear clothing that minimizes bare skin. Use mosquito repellents on clothing. Follow the directions on labels for insecticides or repellents. Cover arms and legs of children playing near standing water. Cover playpens or carriages with mosquito netting. Remove objects that can hold standing water such as tin cans, tires, buckets, or bottles. Fill in holes, ditches, or tree trunks with sand or cement. Clean house gutters on a regular basis. Empty wading pools and bird baths every 4-7 days. Chlorinate swimming pools regularly. Eliminate collected water on boat and pool covers. Avoid over-watering of lawns. Fix holes in screens and attach properly to windows. For more information contact the Trumbull Health Department at 203-452-1030 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov. ###