The Central Connecticut Health District received notification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health that mosquitoes recently trapped in Wethersfield tested positive for West Nile Virus. For the past several years, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has been trapping and collecting mosquitoes for testing from approximately 90 trap sites around the state. Two of those sites are within the Central CT Health District, one in Newington and the other in Wethersfield. The mosquitoes with West Nile Virus were collected in Wethersfield at the Goff Road site on 7/28/08.
West Nile Virus generally is not serious in humans. The majority of people affected recover completely. Although there is no specific treatment or cure, the symptoms of the virus can be treated. Symptoms include a slight fever, headache, rash, and conjunctivitis, and can be relieved with over-the-counter medications. Those at risk of developing a severe illness include the elderly, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems. However, anyone experiencing a high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, disorientation, or muscle weakness should consult a doctor, because serious infections can result in neurological disease and even death.
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, the public should use the following personal protection measures:
- Avoid outdoor activities one hour before and one hour after dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors; it is especially important to cover the arms and legs of children.
- Use a mosquito repellent with no more than 30% DEET; products with 15% or less DEET are recommended for children. Use sparingly, following the product's directions. NOTE: No product containing DEET should be used on infants.
- Cover babies' playpens and carriages with mosquito netting when outdoors.
- Avoid camping near fresh water swamps and use mosquito netting in tents.
- Stay indoors when mosquitoes are numerous.
Additional environmental practices will further reduce the number of mosquitoes breeding in any area. They include:
- Eliminating sources of standing water such as stagnant ponds, ditches, even flower pots and old tires. (A mosquito only needs a few tablespoons of water to lay eggs.) Make sure your property is graded properly and has adequate drainage. Look for places where rainwater collects and fill all holes and depressions. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days. Store boats, wheelbarrows, and containers upside down. Drain children's pools, clean clogged gutters, and flush birdbaths and fountains once or twice a week. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, and any similar containers that have accumulated on your property, and drill holes in the bottoms of recycling and garbage containers that are left outside.
- If you have a pond, be sure it is aerated or stocked with fish. Goldfish and minnows eat mosquito larvae.
- Patching holes in screens and making sure screens are tightly attached to doors and windows.
- Using low toxicity insecticides, always following the directions on the products. (When applying sprays, always keep the wind at your back, carry the spray away from you, and avoid personal contact with it as well as excessive inhalation of spray materials.)
- Placing bat houses on your property.
Anyone with questions or concerns about mosquito control, WNV, and other public health concerns may contact the Central Connecticut Health District at 721-2822, email info@ccthd.org or the Infectious Disease Division of the Connecticut Department of Public Health at (860) 509-7994, email randall.nelson@po.state.ct.us. Brochures about mosquito control and West Nile Virus are available from the Central CT Health District. The Central CT Health District serves as the local health department for the towns of Berlin, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. Additional information about mosquito control is also available from the CT Department of Environmental Protection at 424-4100. Inquiries about pesticide-related subjects are handled through the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378.