Stonington Mosquitoes Test Positive For EEE Virus

STONINGTON, CT — Ledge Light Health District announced today that mosquitoes trapped in Stonington have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus. The virus was found in Culiseta melanura species mosquitoes, which is a species that primarily bites birds.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes. In Connecticut, the virus has been found in trapped mosquitoes in most years. In 2019, there were four human cases of EEE in Connecticut.

Residents who live in towns or near towns where EEE virus has been found are advised to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including:

• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• While outdoors for long periods of time, wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors and to protect small babies when outdoors.
• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Consider the use of mosquito repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as ones containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone, and apply according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6 percent lasts approximately two hours and 20 percent for four 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.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home include:

• Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings, and 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.