West Nile In Connecticut: 5 More Diagnosed, Including A Child In Newington

West Nile Virus On The Increase in CT

This story is used with courtesy from our News Partner WFSB Channel 3 CLICK HERE for the whole story and video as reported by WFSB Channel 3.

NEWINGTON, CT (WFSB) - By Kaitlyn Naples

Two more people, including a child, have been diagnosed with West Nile virus.

This brings the total to five people in Connecticut having been diagnosed with the virus this year.

Public health officials said the child who has been diagnosed is from Newington and the adult is from Monroe. Neither of the new cases traveled out of the area before becoming ill.

Officials said the child is between 5 and 10 years old, and became ill earlier this month with fever and headaches. The child was not hospitalized.

The adult, between 50 and 60 years old, became ill during the second week of August with meningitis and was hospitalized. The adult is improving.

Health officials said West Nile virus has been detected in the state every year since 1999.

Before 2018, 134 human cases of WNV were diagnosed in Connecticut residents including three fatalities.

Last year, three Connecticut residents were diagnosed with WNV infection.

Public health officials are issuing a reminder ahead of the holiday weekend.

“Labor Day weekend is a great time to be outdoors, but please take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, and if you are a parent, that includes your kids,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “I would also like to encourage our municipalities to treat storm drains with larvicides, this will help reduce the number of mosquitoes that can transmit WNV in September, especially if hot, humid weather continues. The WNV season will not end until the first hard frost in the fall.”

For more information on West Nile virus, click here.

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - Mosquitoes in 8 additional towns in CT have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Posted: Jul 25, 2018 3:06 PM EDTUpdated: Jul 25, 2018 4:28 PM EDT

By Olivia Lank

By Kevin Hogan

Environmental officials said the new towns are Bethany, Franklin, Greenwich, Madison, New Haven, Waterford, West Haven, and Weston.

The mosquitoes that were tested were trapped from July 12 to July 19.

The other towns that mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile Virus were Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, New Canaan, Stamford, Stratford, and Waterbury.

State experts say they're seeing a quick expansion of mosquitoes that have recently tested positive for carrying the infectious disease. warm weather and high humidity are the perfect recipe for breeding the mosquito larvae.

"It's kind of an early warning for us that they are in the area, but it means that's something we should be looking at as an important way to prevent mosquito bites," said Ryan McCammon of Ledge Light Health District.

No human or horse cases of West Nile Virus-associated illnesses have been reported in CT this year. The Centers for Disease Control says 80 percent of people infected won't show symptoms.

"If you do happen to have symptoms of fever, you could have tiredness, a lot of things you'd expect with the seasonal flu, we typically don't see a lot in the summertime, but it can also cause rashes in your chest and back," McCammon.

To protect yourself against West Nile infection you should take several precautions:

Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts outdoors.
Consider using mosquito repellent containing DEET or Picaridin.

Experts also advise to make sure your gutters aren't getting clogged and holding back standing water.

People should empty anything that might contain water, such as trash cans and even tree stumps near your home.

Since 2000, there have been 134 human cases of WNV, including three deaths.

To learn more about mosquitoes and WNV, click here.

West Nile In Connecticut: 5 More Diagnosed, Including A Child In Newington

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