2 Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — The city has confirmed that two mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus were trapped at Keney Park on Sept. 14, according to NBC CT. City officials said no Hartford residents were infected by the virus following the discovery.

So far this summer, three Connecticut residents have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The three patients are from Hartford, Bridgeport, and West Haven.

See related: 3rd Human Case Of West Nile Virus Identified In CT This Year

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reported that West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes from 34 towns in Connecticut this season. Since June 21, CAES has identified WNV-positive mosquitoes at trap sites in: Branford, Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Hamden, Litchfield, Manchester, Middlefield, Milford, Meriden, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Newtown, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Ridgefield, Somers, South Windsor, Southington, Sprague, Stamford, Stratford, Waterford, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield, and Wilton.

Eight out of 10 people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms. About one in five people who are infected develop West Nile fever, an illness which includes a fever and other symptoms such as body aches, joint pain, headache, or a rash. About one out of 150 infected people develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system. About one out of 10 cases of severe illness are fatal. People over the age of 60 are at highest risk of serious illness.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, officials said residents should:

• 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 small babies when outdoors.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

For more information on West Nile virus and how to prevent mosquito bites, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website here.