Health Director Joins Officials Warning Residents

After West Nile Virus Reported

Now that mosquito season is in full swing, and the first state West Nile virus case has been identified, Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert is joining with Governor M. Jodi Rell and state health officials in calling for all Newtown residents to take precautions to minimize the possibility of being infected, as well as reducing the risks of breeding infected insects on their property.

“With the start of sustained warm weather mosquitoes will be out and about, particularly at dusk and dawn,” said Gov Rell. “While I am encouraging all of the state’s residents to get out and enjoy the beauty that Connecticut has to offer, I also want to remind them to take appropriate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. West Nile Virus, eastern equine encephalitis, and other diseases have been detected in mosquitoes in our state, so it is important to heed announcements of mosquito testing results.”

“I completely agree with Governor Rell that we want Newtown and district residents out enjoying our beautiful community — and I want to take her heed for caution one step further: it is important to protect themselves not just from mosquito bites, but from tick bites as well,” said Ms Culbert.

The State Mosquito Management Program announced June 20 that mosquitoes trapped in Stonington on June 11 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These are the first WNV-positive mosquitoes identified by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) this year.

“The isolation of WNV this early in the season from Culex salinarius warrants continued monitoring,” said Theodore G. Andreadis, PhD, chief medical entomologist, CAES. “Based on past experience, WNV activity in mosquitoes will continue to increase through the summer and early fall. Fortunately, Connecticut has an extensive statewide mosquito monitoring program.”

Culex salinarius is a mosquito species abundant in coastal salt marshes that will feed on people and is one of the species that has been identified with WNV in Connecticut in prior years. In 2007, Culex pipiens mosquitoes trapped in Manchester on June 27 were the first in Connecticut to test positive for WNV. Overall, WNV in mosquitoes was identified in 18 towns.

As of June 9, human cases were reported in five states this season: Arizona, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. In addition, WNV activity in birds, animals, or mosquitoes was identified in the following states: Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The WNV-positive mosquitoes collected in Stonington are the first findings in the northeastern United States this season.

“This is the tenth year that West Nile virus has been found in Connecticut. The recent announcement of WNV-positive mosquitoes in Stonington should be taken seriously,” said J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH, MBA, Department of Public Health (DPH) commissioner. “Residents, particularly the elderly, should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during the mosquito season, especially in areas where WNV is identified.”

In 2007, four people were confirmed with WNV infection in Connecticut and included residents of Darien, Hartford, New Haven, and Woodbridge. There were no fatalities. No human cases of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) were identified.

The CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities throughout the state. Mosquito traps are set Monday–Thursday nights with trapping 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 website.

Since 2000 there have been significant decreases in the numbers of dead bird sightings reported and those testing positive for WNV infection. Starting in 2006 and continuing during 2008, deaths of wild birds are not used to evaluate the risk of WNV. Monitoring and risk assessment for WNV emphasizes mosquito trapping and testing results. In addition, the DPH laboratory provides testing for hospitalized patients with suspected WNV related illnesses.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:

*Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn

*Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair

*Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven

*Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors

*Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use it according to label instructions

*The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin

*When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, six percent lasts approximately two hours and 20 percent for four hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than 2 months.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home include:

*Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings

*Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling

*Clean clogged roof gutters

*Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use such as wading pools and wheelbarrows

*Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis

*Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, pool covers

*Use landscaping techniques to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property

Additional resources for information include:

Newtown Health District, 31 Peck’s Lane, 270-4291, e-mail: newtownhd@earthlink.net

The Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website at www.ct.gov/mosquito

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov