Second WNV-Positive Mosquito Pool of Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Connecticut Department of Public Health
July 13, 2011 Contact: William Gerrish
(860) 509-7270
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Contact: Dr. Louis Magnarelli, Director
(203) 974-8500
Hartford – The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that mosquitoes trapped in Orange on June 29, 2011 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These results represent the first positive mosquitoes identified in Orange by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.
“The identification of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in Orange, after previously being found in Bridgeport, suggests that the virus is increasing in southern Connecticut,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “We encourage residents and visitors throughout Connecticut to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
In 2011, WNV-positive mosquitoes have been trapped in 2 municipalities; the first were trapped in Bridgeport on June 21st and the second in Orange on June 29th. No Connecticut residents have been identified with illnesses related to WNV infections this year.
Monitoring and risk assessment for WNV emphasizes mosquito trapping and testing results. The CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state. Mosquito traps are set Monday – Thursday nights and conducted at each site every ten days on a rotating basis. Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) for testing according to species, collection site, and date. Each pool is tested for the presence of viruses of public health importance. Positive findings are reported to local health departments, in press releases, and on the CAES web site at www.ct.gov/caes.
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.
###