NEW HAVEN, Connecticut — Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been detected from mosquitoes in eight Connecticut towns.
A total of nine mosquitoes tested positive for the virus in New London, Tolland and Windham Counties.
Voluntown reported three mosquitos, Tolland reported two and one each in Hampton, Woodstock, Thompson, and Killingly.
EEE is the most severe mosquito-transmitted disease in the U.S. Approximately 33% of people who contract the virus die while most survivors have significant brain damage.
“The appearance of EEEV in mosquitoes from across the region indicates that all towns in the northeast are likely to have EEEV activity,” said Sue Starkey, Director of Health at the Northeast District Department of Health. “Everyone should take practical steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes residents should:
- Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
- 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 made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
- Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
- Consider the use of mosquito repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as ones containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone, and apply according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
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