1st Human Case Of West Nile Virus Identified In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — The Stratford Health Department announced Thursday the first human case of West Nile virus-associated illness identified in a Stratford resident.

Four other cases have been reported throughout the state, according to officials.

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The resident, who is between 50–59 years of age became ill during the last week of August with West Nile virus infection, was hospitalized, and is still recovering in the hospital, according to the Stratford Health Department.

Officials said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of antibodies to West Nile virus. During 2025, there were six total human West Nile virus infections reported in the state.

"The CT Agricultural Experiment Station program is still capturing high numbers of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus at both our trapping stations (Beacon Point and Beaver Dam)," said Stratford Health Director Andrea Boissevain, MPH. "Even though fall is approaching, we should not let our guard down in thinking that the risks from mosquitoes have passed. Folks need to continue to 'Fight Bite' by taking precautions such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and limiting time outside at dawn and dusk."

Read more from the news release below:

West Nile virus has been detected in Connecticut every year since 1999 and is the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the US. The first WNV positive mosquito pool of the season was collected in Milford on June 29, 2026.

Most people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms. About 1 in 5 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 1 out of 150 infected people develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system. About 1 out of 10 cases of severe illness are fatal. People over the age of 60 are at highest risk of serious illness.

Stratford's Environmental Conservation Superintendent Kelly Kerrigan noted that "the Town treated the over 5,000 catch basins using a biological larvicide the first week of August."

The treatment attacks larval mosquitoes so they never grow into adults and lasts several weeks. Kerrigan noted that subsequent treatments will occur as necessary.

Every year, the Health and Conservation Departments join forces to get the word out through press releases and social media to provide residents a list of precautions everyone can take, highlighting that people's best defense is to get rid of standing water in flowerpots, bird baths, trash cans and their lids, anything that collects water, effectively removing the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Both Boissevain and Kerrigan added that "the best prevention to reduce your risk of catching the disease is to keep mosquitoes out of your home by ensuring your window and door screens are tight and secure."

Additional precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to decrease mosquito activity around your home include:

• Tip over items in your recycling bin that can collect water.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used, including pool covers.
• Clear clogged gutters.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers.
• For commercial properties with flat roofs, check for standing water to reduce mosquito-breeding sites.
• Minimize time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure the door and windows screens are tight fighting 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 most active. Clothing should be light colored and made 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 using DEET-containing mosquito repellent, as directed, when outdoors.

For more information on West Nile Virus and mosquito control, visit the Stratford Health Department's website here.