' Extra Precautions': CT Health Officials Warn About EEE & Mosquitoes

CONNECTICUT — Eastern equine encephalitis has been detected in eastern Connecticut, and state health officials are concerned.

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, along with the Department of Public Health, are advising residents to take extra precautions to protect against mosquitoes when recreating outdoors.

Last week, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reported EEE in mosquitoes found in Canterbury and Voluntown. EEE is the most severe mosquito-transmitted disease in the U.S. with approximately 30 percent mortality and significant brain damage in most survivors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE.

According to CAES, the majority of EEE detections this year have come from mosquito species that exclusively bite birds, but there have been detections from species that bite mammals which increases the risk for human EEE infection.

"Infection with EEE virus can cause serious illness affecting the brain. Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, and decreased consciousness," said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD.

Anyone with symptoms suggestive of EEE infection should contact their physician immediately, Juthani said.

CAES maintains a network of 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 88 municipalities across Connecticut and routinely tests mosquitoes for EEE, and regularly reports mosquito testing results to local health departments.

Given the detections of EEE in eastern Connecticut, DEEP and DPH are advising those who head outdoors for recreation this summer to take the following steps to minimize the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes:

• Minimize time spent outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light-colored, loose-fitting, and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• If camping, ensure tent screens and doors are in good repair and are securely fastened when not in use.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants.
• Residents are also encouraged to take steps at home to protect against mosquitoes, such as making sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair. In addition, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so avoid letting water collect in old tires, wheelbarrows, wading pools, etc.

More information on mosquito control around the home can be found on the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

"DEEP wants people to continue enjoying outdoor activities, like hiking, fishing, and camping," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "With the news of EEE being detected in mosquitoes in parts of Eastern Connecticut, it’s a good time to be mindful about precautions you should take. These precautions will help you continue to enjoy the outdoors while reducing risk of mosquito-borne illness."

For information on mosquito-borne diseases, precautions to avoid mosquito bites, and the latest mosquito test results, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.