West Nile Infected Mosquitoes Found In Hartford

HARTFORD, CT — State officials announced that mosquitoes trapped at Keney Park in Hartford tested positive for West Nile Virus July 24.

There have been no reports of any person with the virus in Hartford, according to city officials.

More than a dozen communities have seen mosquitoes test positive for the virus in Connecticut so far this year.

“Even though we see the West Nile virus in some form every year in Connecticut, I hope residents will take basic steps to prevent mosquito bites and report any potential West Nile virus infections to a health care professional,” said Mayor Luke Bronin. “I want to thank the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for their work to detect West Nile virus in Hartford.”

Symptoms of the virus include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

More from the city:

Preventing mosquito bites:

• 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, or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
• Use mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

Preventing mosquitoes at home:

• Dispose of water-holding containers such as ceramic pots, used tires, and tire swings.
• Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling.
• Clean clogged roof gutters.
• Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use such as wading pools and wheelbarrows.
• Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
• Use landscaping techniques to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Resources for additional information:

• Hartford Department of Health and Human Services: (860) 757-4700; http://www.hartford.gov/hhs
• Connecticut Mosquito Management Program: http://www.ct.gov/mosquito
• State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Epidemiology Program: (860) 509-7994; http://www.dph.state.ct.us
• Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: http://www.caes.state.ct.us
• State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection: http://dep.state.ct.us
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov

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