Newington Child Infected With West Nile Virus

NEWINGTON, CT — A Newington child between the ages of 5 and 10-years-old was infected by West Nile Virus. The child along with a Monroe adult were the latest confirmed cases in Connecticut. In total there have been five confirmed cases.

The child was not hospitalized, but the Monroe adult between the ages of 5 and 60-years-old needed hospitalization. The child experienced a headache and fever.

“Labor Day weekend is a great time to be outdoors, but please take precautions to prevent mosquito bites,
and if you are a parent, that includes your kids,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “I would also like to encourage our municipalities to treat storm drains with larvicides, this will help reduce the number of mosquitoes that can transmit WNV in September, especially if hot, humid weather continues. The WNV season will not end until the first hard frost in the fall.”

There were three confirmed West Nile Virus cases last year in Connecticut. There has been at least one case every year since 1999. Most people who are infected don't develop serious symptoms.

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