Mosquitoes with West Nile virus found in 14 towns

NEW HAVEN — Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been detected in 14 Connecticut communities so far this year, scientists with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station said in a release Friday.

Scientists said the mosquitoes had been found in Branford, Bridgeport, Darien, Greenwich, Guilford, Hartford, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury and Wethersfield.

Two mosquitoes carrying Eastern equine encephalitis were found in Hampton and Stonington, they said.

“We continue to see increases in the number of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, especially in coastal Fairfield and New Haven counties and in the greater Hartford area,” said Philip Armstrong, medical entomologist at the CAES. “In addition, the detection of EEE virus in two towns in eastern Connecticut requires continued vigilance. We will continue to monitor the situation and trap mosquitoes until the end of the season in October.”

According to the release, one human case of West Nile virus has been reported in Connecticut this year.

Jocelyn Mullins, a state public health veterinarian with the state Department of Public Health, said August and September historically have been the riskiest months for both West Nile and EEE.

“Now is the time to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” said Mullins.

Scientists with the CAES advised residents to minimize the time they spend outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active; wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants when outside for long periods of time; use mosquito netting when sleeping outside and check screens to guard the inside; and consider using repellent.

According to the release, West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States and a factor in Connecticut each summer.

“Before 2020, 158 cases of West Nile virus were reported in Connecticut, of which 4 were fatal,” scientists said.

There are usually about six cases of Eastern equine encephalitis, a rare but serious disease, across the United States each year. Approximately one-third of those who contract the disease die; about half of survivors “become disabled due to neurological damage.”

The first locally-acquired case of EEE in Connecticut occurred in 2013, scientists said. Last year, there were four human cases, three of which were fatal.