United States

Mosquitoes Trapped in North Stonington Test Positive For Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Mosquitoes trapped in North Stonington have tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis.

The mosquitoes were trapped at Bell Cedar Swamp and Wyassup Lake on September 26.

In all, three mosquitoes tested positive in North Stonington, including one that is human-biting.

It marks the first time this year that a human-biting mosquito has tested positive for EEE, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, which monitors mosquito activity.

The agency announced last week that a mosquito trapped in Hampton was the first in the state to test positive for the virus this year in Connecticut.

Eastern equine encephalitis is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is rare in humans, but there are a few cases reported in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of serious cases include the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. From there, a patient may become disoriented, have seizures or even fall into a coma.

One-third of those affected will die and most survivors are left with significant brain damage, according to the CDC.

Experts at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station urge people to take steps to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent and wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

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