West Nile cases found in Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury and Westbrook

“I would also like to remind people who are over the age of 50 that you are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV infection and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.”

DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino

Five more cases of West Nile virus have been found in Connecticut residents, including cases in Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford and Westbrook.

The state Department of Public Health announced Thursday that five more state residents tested positive for West Nile virus infection, bringing the season’s total to 15.

Along with the three Fairfield County residents, other patients who tested positive were from Thompson in Windham County and Westbrook in Middlesex County.

Ages of those affected with West Nile range from 40 to 70 years; three of the five required hospitalization.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of WNV antibodies in all of the patients. All five patients became ill in early to midSeptember.

“It is very unusual for us to have this many people seriously ill with (the) WNV infection in September,” DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino said in a news release.

“More warm weather is forecast for this weekend and many Connecticut residents will be outdoors enjoying the state’s country fairs, family gatherings, and other events, especially in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active,” the release said. “Please take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. WNV infection is preventable.”

Using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites will reduce the risk of getting WNV infection, Pino said.

“I would also like to remind people who are over the age of 50 that you are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV infection and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites,” he said.

“Although mosquito populations are declining, we continue to find WNVinfected mosquitoes throughout many regions of the state in our trapping program, and this is likely to continue for the next several weeks until the first hard frost in October” said Dr. Theodore G. Andreadis, director the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.