FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Connecticut Department of Public Health

July 25, 2012                                                              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 mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 13 towns so far this season. The mosquitoes were trapped by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) from June 27 to July 18 in: Bethel, Danbury, Greenwich, East Haven, New Haven, Newington, Newtown, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, West Haven, Wallingford and Wilton.

“As expected, we continue to find mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in more locations in lower Fairfield County and in an expanding number of other areas of Connecticut,” said Dr. Theodore G. Andreadis, Chief Medical Entomologist, CAES. “Over the rest of the summer and into early fall, we expect to see further build-up of West Nile virus with increased risk for human infection throughout the state, especially in densely populated communities where the virus is found.”

“The identification of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in a growing number of communities serves as an important reminder that people should protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Randall Nelson, State Public Health Veterinarian with the Department of Public Health. “Everyone should take simple steps to prevent mosquito bites, like using insect repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.”  

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 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 and on the CAES web site at www.ct.gov/caes.

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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