NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Even with the recent cooler nights and fewer rain storms, mosquitoes carrying infectious diseases are still being detected in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES).
As of Tuesday, there were 66 mosquitoes that were collected for testing and came back positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE). Mosquitoes carrying EEE have been found in Canterbury, Chester - with the most recent case detected Sept. 24, Farmington, Griswold, Groton, Killingworth, Ledyard, Lyme, Manchester, Newtown - with the most recent case detected Sept. 24, North Stonington, Plainfield, Sterling, Stonington- with the most recent case detected Sept. 23, Trumbull, and Voluntown.
“Since there is no vaccine for EEE for use in humans, protection from this virus depends on personal protective measures to decrease exposure to infected mosquitoes,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Symptoms from EEE include severe headache and neck stiffness, which can result in nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.”
There have been no human cases of EEE detected in Connecticut so far, but there were several EEE-related deaths reported around New England, including in New Hampshire, and New York.
A horse in Fairfield and a deer in Lisbon were infected with EEE this year.
Over 300 mosquitoes trapped around Connecticut and tested were found to be carrying West Nile virus. The 308 mosquitoes came from Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Canterbury, Chester, Cromwell, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, East Lyme, Easton, Fairfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Griswold, Groton, Haddam, Hampton, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Milford, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, North Stonington, Norwalk, Orange, Salem, Somers, South Windsor, Southington, Sprague, Stamford, Stonington, Stratford, Trumbull, Voluntown, West Hartford, West Haven, Westbrook, Westport and Wethersfield.
There were nine human West Nile virus cases detected in Connecticut this season: four in Fairfield County, three in New Haven County, and one each in Middlesex and New London Counties.
According to state researchers, mosquito season will continue until the first hard freeze, which will bring mosquito activity to an end.
Decrease the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by limiting the time spent outside between dusk and dawn, and when outside, use mosquito repellant with DEET.
Clothing that protects against mosquitoes includes long-sleeved shirts and light-colored, loose-fitting pants, as well as close-toed shoes and socks.
Use door and window screens, use netting when sleeping outside, and cover strollers and baby carriers.
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