A Stamford resident has tested positive for the West Nile virus in Connecticut’s second case of the summer.
The first case was reported in July when a Stratford resident got sick after being bitten by mosquitoes.
According to the Stamford Department of Health, the city has responded to the diagnosis by placing larvicide in catch basins around town in an effort to kill off disease-borne mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes in several areas of the state have been found to carry the virus.
Symptoms can include fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes a skin rash or swollen lymph nodes and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Neurological effects can be permanent, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as symptoms start to develop, according to the Stamford Department of Public health.
People over the age of 50 are at the greatest risk for infection, said Ann Fountain, Director of Health and Social Services for the city.
Local
The best way to prevent infection is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
You can do this by:
- Minimizing your time outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
- Making sure door and window screens are properly fitted and sealed
- Wearing tightly woven clothing that covers your body while outside
- Using mosquito nets when sleeping outside
- Using bug spray when going outside
- Getting rid of standing water in containers outside your home
- Cleaning out clogged roof gutters
- Properly cleaning, chlorinating and covering swimming pools
For more information about the disease and how to prevent it, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
