Mosquitoes in Weston Test Positive for West Nile Virus

WESTON, CT -- The town joins a growing list of Connecticut municipalities where mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus.

“We are seeing a major expansion and build-up of West Nile virus in the mosquito population” said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). “We are also detecting the virus in human-biting mosquitoes comparatively early in the season, which substantially increases the risk of infection.”

CAES is urging residents to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Mosquitoes with West Nile virus have also been found this year in: Bethany, Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Franklin, Greenwich, Madison, New Canaan, New Haven, Stamford, Stratford, Waterbury Waterford, and West Haven.

No human or horse cases have been reported with WNV-associated illnesses acquired in Connecticut this season. One hundred thirty four human cases of West Nile virus, including three fatalities, have been diagnosed in Connecticut residents since 2000. Last year, three state residents were diagnosed and hospitalized from infections.

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