FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Connecticut Department of Public Health

September 3, 2010                                     Contact: William Gerrish

                                                                   (860) 509-7270

                                                                   Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

                                                                   Contact:  Dr. Theodore Andreadis

                                                                   (203) 974-8510

Hartford – The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that residents of Bridgeport and Stamford have been hospitalized for West Nile virus (WNV) infections.

The Bridgeport resident, between 50-59 years of age, became ill during the third week of August and is hospitalized for encephalitis.  Illness was characterized by fever, nausea, and confusion. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of antibodies to WNV.  The Stamford resident, between 50-59 years of age, became ill during the last week of August and is hospitalized for encephalitis.  Illness was characterized by fever, headache, confusion and incoordination.  The State Public Health Laboratory confirmed the presence of antibodies to WNV in both patients.

“As I did yesterday, I am urging residents to take the risk of West Nile virus infections seriously,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin.  “To reduce the risk of infection I am advising everyone, but especially people over 50 years of age or those who have serious underlying health conditions, to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”

So far this season, WNV-positive mosquitoes have been identified in 19 towns – Bethel, Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Manchester, Meriden, Milford, Newtown, Norwalk, New Britain, New Haven, Orange, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven, Westport and Wethersfield.  Five people, living in Bridgeport, Greenwich, New Haven, Stamford and Trumbull, have been reported with infections this year. Two additional Connecticut residents were infected while travelling out of the state. 

To date, mosquitoes with eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) have been identified only in North Stonington. No illnesses in people or horses attributed to EEE have been reported.

To monitor WNV, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state from June through October.  Mosquito traps are set every ten days at each site on a rotating basis.  Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) according to species, collection site, and date.  Each pool is cultured for the presence of viruses of public health importance including West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. 

For information on West Nile virus and what you can do to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program Web site at www.ct.gov/mosquito.

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