West Haven resident among 2 in state with West Nile

Two Connecticut residents have tested positive for West Nile virus, the state Department of Public Health announced Tuesday.

The patients, who are in their 70s, are residents of West Haven and Bridgeport. These are the first two cases of West Nile virus associated illness identified in Connecticut this season, the department said.

The two patients became ill in the third week of August and are currently recovering in hospitals. They were sick with meningitis and meningoencephalitis, or a serious neurological condition, the health department said.

The Westport Weston Health District said Tuesday some mosquitoes trapped in Easton had the virus.

The state’s mosquito trapping program also reported mosquitoes with the virus in Bridgeport, Darien, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Meriden, Middlefield, Milford, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Newtown, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Ridgefield, Somers, South Windsor, Southington, Sprague, Stamford, Stratford, Waterford, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield and Wilton.

Though there are no reported cases in Easton, Weston or Westport, the health district advises residents to take precaution against mosquito bites.

Residents can lower their risk of contracting the virus by limiting time spent outdoors near dusk or dawn and making sure door and window screens are in good shape. When outdoors for long periods of time, residents should wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt to protect themselves, according to the state’s public health department.

People bitten by an infected mosquito have a less than 1 in 100 chance of developing illnesses, according to the state department. If they develop symptoms at all, people typically feel ill three to 14 days after being bitten.

West Nile virus can cause serious illness particularly in people 50 or older. This could include inflammation of the brain or meningitis. Symptoms could range from a slight fever, headache, rash, swollen lymph nodes and nausea. More extreme symptoms include the rapid onset of a severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness and coma, according to the state health department.

The virus’ infection can lead to death in 3 to 15 percent of people with severe forms of the illness, according to the health department.

The virus has been found each year since 1999 in mosquitoes, horses, birds or people, according to the state’s department of public health.