Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Milford

MILFORD, CT — Mosquitoes trapped in Milford have tested positive for the West Nile virus, officials announced Tuesday.

The mosquitoes were trapped in Milford on June 21 and represent the first West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes identified in the state this year, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

“The West Nile virus season has begun with the first detection of virus in mosquitoes,” said Dr. Philip Armstrong, medical entomologist at the CAES. “This is earlier than usual, and we anticipate further buildup of the virus from now through September.”

Dr. Jason White, director of the CAES, said they’ll continue to “closely monitor mosquitoes for continued virus amplification.”

“We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures such as wearing mosquito repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” White said.

Residents are advised to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.
• Consider the use of an EPA-approved mosquito repellent and apply according to directions when it is necessary to be outdoors.

West Nile virus has been detected in Connecticut every year since it was introduced into North America in 1999. Last season, West Nile Virus was detected in 143 mosquito pools from 21 towns in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven counties, according to officials.

Officials said there were eight confirmed human cases of West Nile virus infection reported from Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven counties.