West Nile virus found in four state residents

HARTFORD — Four more Connecticut residents have tested positive for West Nile virus, bringing the total for this season to 10 cases.

Two of the latest patients are from Bridgeport, one is from Durham, and one is from Southington, the state Department of Public Health announced Thursday.

The four range in age from 50 to over 70, and three of the four required hospitalization.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of West Nile antibodies in all four patients.

The Bridgeport and Durham patients became ill in mid- to late August, and the Southington patient became ill in the second week of September, officials said.

In August, health officials announced there were two confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Connecticut, one of whom was a Fairfield resident and the other from Newington.

In response to the two Bridgeport cases, Mayor Joseph Ganim is urging residents to “Fight the Bite,” a social media campaign City Hall is behind.

“We’ve had a lot of rain over the last several weeks that has caused water to gather and pool in containers, ceramics, tires, and other objects around the home,” said Bridgeport Director of Health Maritza Bond. “Standing water is a leading risk factor and way that mosquitoes breed and become a greater danger to all of us — dump out any standing water around your home.”

“Prevention tips include reducing mosquito breeding grounds around your home by eliminating any standing water and to continue to use mosquito repellent wipes while spending time outdoors,” she said.

Between 2000 and 2009 there were 69 confirmed human cases of West Nile in the state and three deaths according to state health officials. From 2010 to 2017 there were 65 cases and no deaths.

And statistically in Connecticut, the three worst weeks for the disease are the last two weeks of August and the first week of September.

Since 2000, the worst year for the virus was 2012, with 21 cases.

Officials are urging residents to limit their exposure to mosquitoes by using a repellent when outdoors, keeping insect screens in good repair, removing standing pools of water and staying indoors around dusk when mosquitoes are most active.