HARTFORD, Conn. — More mosquitoes trapped for testing by state researchers are coming back positive for West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE).
Researchers at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven trap mosquitoes all over Connecticut and test them for disease.
So far in August, mosquitoes that have tested positive for WNV have been found in Branford, Bridgeport, Darien, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Hartford, Milford, New Haven, South Windsor, Stamford, Stonington, Stratford, Voluntown, and West Haven. At least one mosquito positive for WNV has been found in over two dozen Connecticut towns.
So far this summer, a total of 15 mosquitoes in Canterbury and eight mosquitoes in Voluntown have tested positive for EEE. North Stonington found one mosquito positive for EEE earlier this month.
A total of 166 trapped mosquitoes were positive for West Nile Virus and 24 were positive for EEE in Connecticut so far this season. No human cases of WNV or EEE have been detected this season.
Researchers encourage residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos and prevent human cases of disease from developing.
In the backyard, get rid of standing water, including in flower pots, tires, and bird baths. Using bug spray and keeping screens on windows and doors can also help. More information on preventing bug bites can be found here.
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