Stratford Taking Steps To Prevent West Nile Virus In Town

Press release from the Town of Stratford Health Department:

July 19, 2020

In an effort to prevent illnesses such as West Nile virus (WNV) carried by mosquitoes, the Stratford Health Department has teamed up with the Town’s Public Works Department to treat the town’s 5,283 catch basins with a non-toxic larvicide.

“Stratford will be treating all of its catch basins starting ... this month, weather permitting and will continue through the summer season, as the funding permits,” said Kelly Kerrigan, the town’s Environmental Conservation Superintendent. She advises that you can do your part by reducing standing water on your property to limit areas where mosquitoes can breed. Residents can also purchase larvicide briquettes or “dunks” at local hardware stores or places like Home Depot to treat areas on their property where water may pool.

Stratford’s Health Director Andrea Boissevain said “We’ll be tracking mosquito surveillance data from the state agricultural stations located here in Town at Beacon Point and Beaver Dam Road”. Boissevain noted, “I realize it’s challenging enough to think about wearing masks and social distancing in the wake of reducing the spread of COVID-19, but we know the drill by now on how to avoid mosquito bites and decrease mosquito activity around your home”.

Here are some tips on what you can do to keep mosquitoes at bay:

REMOVE STANDING WATER

· Rid your property of extra standing water. Artificial containers such as barrels and birdbaths are frequently used by mosquitoes for laying eggs.

• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools that are not being used, including pool covers.
• Cleaning clogged gutters.
• Drilling holes in bottom of recycling containers.
• Fixing holes in your screens.
• For commercial properties with flat roofs, check for standing water to reduce mosquito-breeding sites.

WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• 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 of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Minimizing time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and windows screens are tight fighting and in good repair.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.

USE INSECT REPELLENT

Considering using mosquito repellent, as directed, when outdoors.

• Repellents made with 20-30% of the active ingredient DEET are very effective when used properly; however, DO NOT USE ON CHILDREN UNDER 2 years of age.

The State started their mosquitoes collecting and testing program June 1st. They test for the presence of WNV, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika through October. For more information on West Nile Virus, Zika, and mosquito control, visit the Stratford Health Department’s website at www.townofstratford.com/health and follow us on Twitter @Health Stratford tips and info.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station also has information for the public on mosquito surveillance control and mosquito-borne diseases. This information can be accessed on their website http://www.ct.gov/mosquito. For the most up-to-date mosquito information across Connecticut, call the toll-free number 1-866-WNV-LINE (1-866-968-5463).

This press release was produced by the Town of Stratford Health Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.