Connecticut’s First Human

West Nile Infection Reported In Bristol

HARTFORD — The State Mosquito Management Program today announced that a Bristol resident tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first case of WNV associated illness among Connecticut residents this year. The Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding residents that August and September are the peak months for transmission of WNV to people.

The resident of Bristol, a person over 75 years, became ill during the first week of July with fever, headache, nausea, and body aches. The person was not hospitalized and has recovered. The DPH Laboratory confirmed test results obtained by a commercial laboratory on a sample of the patient’s blood. The person reported receiving numerous mosquito bites while doing yard work in the days before onset of illness.

“The identification of a human WNV infection early in the season and the numerous virus isolations from mosquitoes announced earlier this week are warnings we should take seriously,” said J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH, Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner. “I am urging residents, especially the elderly who are at greatest risk for serious illness, to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”

To date, positive mosquitoes have been identified in eight towns in a widening area of Connecticut: Bridgeport, Danbury, East Haven, Greenwich, New Haven, Southington, West Haven, and Wethersfield.

Most people who are infected with WNV and become ill will have a mild illness that may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or a skin rash. Infrequently, people develop severe illness of the nervous system that can also include neck stiffness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Persons older than 50 years of age are more likely than younger persons to suffer the more severe health consequences if they become infected with WNV.

During 2005, five Connecticut residents were diagnosed with WNV infections acquired in the state and one person was infected while traveling out of the state. From 2000 to 2005, 48 persons were confirmed with WNV infection, including 44 who acquired the infection in Connecticut.

Persons older than 50 years of age are more likely than younger persons to suffer severe health consequences if they become infected with WNV. Two persons have died. The state WNV monitoring system emphasizes evaluation of mosquito populations.

Announcements are made based on the numbers and types of mosquitoes that test positive for WNV. The state has established 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.

The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is an interagency program consisting of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Connecticut Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:

éMinimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.

éBe sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.

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

éUse mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.

éConsider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.

éWhen using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6 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:

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

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

éClean clogged roof gutters

éTurn over objects that may trap water when not in use such as wading pools and

wheelbarrows

éChange water in bird baths on a weekly basis

éClean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, pool covers

éUse landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on one’s property.