Norwalk Health Department Kicks Off 2019 Mosquito Management

From the Norwalk Public Health Department: The Health Department will launch its annual larvicide application program next week to reduce the mosquito population and prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus. Workers from All Habitat Inc. will apply larvicide to various standing water locations around the city, which prevents mosquito eggs from hatching.

Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) detected its first West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes in CT for the season on July 30 in East Haven. So far this year, no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Norwalk and no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Connecticut.

According to CT DPH, most people infected with West Nile Virus do not develop symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms, and even fewer (about 1 out of 150) infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. These statistics demonstrate that even though serious illness from West Nile Virus is rare, protection measures are very important.

The larvicide application is just one part of the Health Department’s mosquito management program. In addition to working with state officials to monitor the mosquito population, the Health Department also works to help residents understand how to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

To avoid getting bitten:

• Apply mosquito repellent before going outdoors.
• Drain stagnant, standing water around your home in places like old tires, birdbaths, wading pools, garbage can lids, and even cans in recycle bins.
• Keep gutters and leaders free of debris.
• Install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Do not leave swimming pools uncovered without chlorinating and filtering.

For more information about the Health Department’s mosquito management program, visit https://www.norwalkct.org/761/Mosquitoes-and-West-Nile-Virus.

For more information about mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, and the state’s efforts to manage and monitor mosquitoes, visit www.ct.gov/mosquito.

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About the Norwalk Department of Health: Under the direction of the mayor, and with valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community. The Health Department achieved accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. More information is available at www.norwalkhealth.com.

This press release was produced by the Norwalk Public Health Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.