Press Releases
08/28/2024
DEEP Mosquito Management Program to Spray for Mosquitoes in Mt. Misery Area of Pachaug State Forest
While No Human Cases of EEE so Far this Season, Detections of EEE-carrying Mosquitoes in this Area Remain High
(HARTFORD)— While there have been no cases of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) in humans in Connecticut so far this season, the risk-level in the eastern part of the state for EEE remains elevated. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Mosquito Management Program will conduct insecticide spraying on the evening of Thursday, August 29 (weather permitting) in an area of eastern Connecticut where mammal-biting mosquitoes carrying EEE have been consistently detected. This step is being taken out of an abundance of caution to minimize the potential for spread of the virus to humans.
The Mosquito Management Program will spray for mosquitoes in the Mt. Misery area of Pachaug State Forest on the evening of August 29. Entrances to the State Forest will close at 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 29, and the forest and nearby roads will be closed for the evening. They will re-open at 8:00 AM on Friday, August 30. Residential portions of these roads still will remain accessible to residents.
EEE has been detected in the following towns this year: Canterbury, Ledyard, North Stonington, Sterling, and Voluntown. No human cases have been reported in Connecticut in 2024, but human cases have been reported in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, and New Hampshire (one death). A white-tailed deer died from EEE earlier in August in Lisbon, Connecticut.
“DEEP encourages residents to take appropriate precautions as we are still not through the mosquito season,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “With the presence of EEE in mosquitoes in eastern Connecticut and West Nile Virus in other areas of the state, it is very important that residents minimize time outdoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are prevalent and wear long sleeves and use insect repellent if out at any point during those times.”
“Mosquitoes are still active, and residents should continue to take measures to prevent mosquito bites, especially during warm evenings when mosquitoes are most active,” said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. “There is continued risk for mosquito-borne diseases until the first hard freeze when mosquito activity ends."
“Since there is no vaccine for EEE, protection from this virus depends on personal protective measures to decrease exposure to infected mosquitoes,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Symptoms from EEE include severe headache and neck stiffness which can result in nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.”
The insecticide the Mosquito Management Program will spray contains the active ingredients sumithrin and prallethrin. When applied at appropriate rates this product does not affect humans, pets or other non-target organisms. Campers have been notified of the spraying and have been advised to leave the area while spraying is conducted.
The following forest roads will close beginning at 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 29: DEP Trail 1, Gardner Road, Stone Hill Road, Trail 1, Lee Road, Lawrence Road, Trail 2, and Route 49 North entrance. Road gates in these areas will close during this time. Residential portions of these roads still will be accessible to residents. Visitors are advised to plan visits and activities accordingly to avoid the area while spraying is conducted. Campers have been advised to avoid the area until at least 10:00 PM Thursday night and will be permitted to return after 10:00 PM.
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, residents should:
- Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Consider the use of mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone when it is necessary to be outdoors.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
- Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
- Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.
Residents also are encouraged to take steps at home to protect against mosquitoes, such as making sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair and not letting stagnant water collect around your home. Dump water out of old tires, wheelbarrows, and wading pools. More information on mosquito control around the home can be found on the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.
Connecticut Mosquito Management Program
The response to mosquito transmitted diseases in Connecticut is a collaborative inter-agency effort involving the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Connecticut (UCONN). These agencies are responsible for monitoring mosquito populations and the potential public health threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
For information on EEE, West Nile Virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases, what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the latest mosquito test results, and human infections, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.