Connecticut

Stonington Spraying for Mosquitoes Amid EEE Threat

The CDC says EEE kills about 30 percent of people infected with it every year.

A shoreline town is taking precautions after finding mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as EEE.

A fine mist covered the tree line at recreational areas in Stonington Thursday evening. The hope for crews is to strike as many mosquitoes as possible. The town is one of seven in the state with mosquitoes with EEE, according to the latest trapping and testing report. It's a virus that the CDC says kills about 30 percent of people infected every year.

There have been no reported human cases of EEE in Connecticut this year.

"It's kind of scary because I go out a lot," said Stonington resident Candace Canestrari. "I definitely have to make sure I'm wearing my bug spray now."

In addition to that, health officials recommend covering up. That's something Stonington resident Karlo Salminen made sure to do while out walking his dog.

"We need to really watch out and protect ourselves and be careful about that," said Salminen.

Stonington's first selectman said that crews were out spraying all day on Thursday, covering the high school fields and grounds as well as the town recreation area. He says they're focusing on any high-risk areas. In addition to that, the town is also putting in place a curfew for all sporting events on recreation fields an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise. The First Selectman says that's expected to remain in place for up to six weeks or until the first frost.

Crews spraying say that the pesticide dissipates very quickly.

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