4 More Human West Nile Virus Cases In State

HARTFORD — Four more state residents have tested positive for West Nile virus, raising the total number of human cases this year to 10, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The four people included two residents of Bridgeport, one from Durham and one from Southington. They ranged in age from 50 to over 70, and three needed to go to hospitals, the department said. All became ill within the past month, and all are recovering.

Three state residents tested positive for the virus in all of 2017.

The virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and most people don’t develop symptoms, but it can be fatal in rare cases. Officials continue to urge residents to remove standing water from their properties and use insect repellent at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.