Mosquitoes With EEE, West Nile Virus Found in 25 Connecticut Cities and Towns

The number of mosquitoes to test positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus has gone up and 25 Connecticut cities and town are now affected.

The number of mosquitoes to test positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis has gone up by 10 in the last week and the number of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus is up by eight.

As of today, there have been a total of 83 mosquitoes with Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, this year, according to the state’s agricultural experiment station.

They have been found in Chester, Groton, Haddam, Hampton, Killingworth, Ledyard. Madison, North Stonington, Plainfield, Shelton, Stonington and Voluntown.

Fifty-six mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus.

They have been found in Bridgeport, Chester, East Haven, Greenwich, Groton, Hartford, Manchester, New Haven, North Haven, North Stonington, Norwalk, South Windsor, Stamford, Voluntown, West Hartford, West Haven and Wethersfield.

The Ledge Light Health District is urging all residents of Groton, Ledyard, North Stonington and Stonington to avoid outdoor activities from one hour before dawn and duck to one hour after because of mosquitoes that have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Health officials also urge people to take additional precautions to avoid mosquito bites:

  • Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
  • While outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven.
  • Use mosquito netting if sleeping outdoors.
  • Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use them according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.
  • When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than 2 months.

Reduce mosquitoes around the home:

  • Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, and tire swings, clogged gutters.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling.
  • Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and cover pools when not in use.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Additional resources for information on EEE and mosquito management can be found online. 

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