FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Connecticut Department of Public Health

July 20, 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 West Haven on July 12, 2010 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).  These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in West Haven by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.  Positive mosquitoes continue to be identified at sites in Stamford.

“The current warm temperatures favor increased numbers of mosquito species responsible for transmitting West Nile virus in our region.  While we don’t know what the weather will be later in the summer, we should expect that there will be expansion to other areas of the state throughout the summer and early fall,” said Theodore G. Andreadis, Ph.D., Chief Medical Entomologist, CAES.

“In addition to areas in Connecticut, West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been reported in New York and Massachusetts,” said Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin.  “The presence of the virus this season is not likely to remain a focal problem.  People throughout the state should take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”

Monitoring and risk assessment for WNV emphasizes mosquito trapping and testing results.  The CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state.  Mosquito traps are set Monday – Thursday nights and conducted at each site every ten days on a rotating basis.  Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) for testing according to species, collection site, and date.  Each pool is tested for the presence of viruses of public health importance.  Positive findings are reported to local health departments, in press releases and on the CAES web site.

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.