Mosquitoes trapped in several Connecticut towns have tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to state officials.
In the latest state Mosquito Trapping and Testing Report, officials said that mosquitoes in Darien, Farmington, Guilford, Middlefield, and New Haven have tested positive for the virus.
Mosquitoes from Branford, Glastonbury, Greenwich, North Branford, North Stonington, Orange, Plainfield, South Windsor, Stamford, Stratford, West Haven and Westport previously tested positive.
The mosquitoes were trapped as State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program. The West Nile virus season typically begins in late June to mid-July and continues through September.
Residents should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, such as covering bare skin and wearing insect repellent, especially during dawn and dusk hours.
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms, but less than one percent can develop serious, sometimes fatal neurological illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agriculture Station, Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Pathobiology at the University of Connecticut are all involved in the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program. There are 91 mosquito trapping stations across 72 towns throughout the state.
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For more information about West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website here.
