The program monitors mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus, or EEE.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program announced June 3 that it is monitoring mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause illness in people, such as West Nile virus or shedding virus. eastern equine encephalitis, also known as EEE.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station said in a statement that the mosquito trapping and testing program it coordinates began Monday and will run through the end of October.
“Mosquito season has begun,” Dr. Philip Armstrong, chief scientist at CAES, said in the release. “We anticipate higher numbers of mosquitoes this season given this year’s abundant rainfall. “Mosquitoes are not only nuisance pests, but they can also transmit West Nile virus and other serious mosquito-borne diseases.”
Last year, West Nile was found in 188 mosquito pools in 44 cities in seven Connecticut counties, according to the release. The greatest West Nile activity was detected in densely populated urban and suburban regions in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven counties.
A total of five human cases of West Nile-associated diseases were reported between July 22 and September 30, 2023; The release says West Nile occurs every summer in the Northeast and has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne illnesses in the region since it was first introduced to the New York City area in 1999.
The release says EEE was detected in 107 mosquito groups in Connecticut last year, and mosquitoes positive for the virus were found throughout the eastern part of the state in 18 towns in New London, Tolland and Windham counties.
Veterinary cases of EEE were also reported in three horses and an emu in the same region, according to the statement. No human cases of EEE were reported in the state last year.
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According to the release, EEE is a rare but serious disease in humans, with four to eight cases reported in the United States during a typical year. The last major EEE outbreak in the country occurred in 2019 when there were 38 cases; four cases and three deaths occurred in Connecticut.
To reduce the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes, the release says residents can minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, make sure door and window screens are tight and in good condition and wear shoes, socks, long pants. pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active.
Clothing should be light colors and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes off the skin, according to the statement.
Residents can also use mosquito nets when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure, and it is also a good idea to consider using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent.
“We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites, such as covering bare skin and using mosquito repellent, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” Armstrong said in the statement.
CAES maintains a network of 108 mosquito trap stations in 88 Connecticut communities, according to the release. Mosquito traps are placed Monday through Thursday nights at each site every 10 days on a rotating basis, and mosquitoes are grouped for testing based on species, collection location, and date.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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