State officers stated a mosquito has examined constructive for West Nile virus in Bridgeport, marking the primary case of the virus this season.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, of CAES, stated mosquitoes trapped in Bridgeport on June 11 examined constructive by the state’s mosquito administration program.
“This is likely one of the earlier detections of virus recorded over the past 25 years of the statewide monitoring program,” John Shepard, medical entomologist on the CAES, stated in a press release.
Officers are reminding Connecticut residents to guard themselves from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases.
West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes and will be handed to people.
Signs of West Nile virus embody fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, and gastrointestinal signs. For extra severe instances, or neuroinvasive instances, signs can embody a excessive fever, headache, nonetheless neck and decreased consciousness, in accordance with DPH.
To scale back the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes, CAES stated residents ought to:
Reduce time spent outside between nightfall and daybreak when mosquitoes are most lively.
When it’s essential to be outside, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered lively ingredient, together with DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent merchandise signifies that they’ve been evaluated and accepted for human security and effectiveness when utilized in accordance with directions on the label.
Put on footwear, socks, lengthy pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for lengthy intervals of time, or when mosquitoes are extra lively. Clothes needs to be light-colored and loose-fitting and product of tightly woven supplies that maintain mosquitoes away from the pores and skin.
Put on clothes and equipment handled with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.
Ensure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good restore.
When sleeping outside, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened construction. Deal with tenting gear with permethrin when doable.
Cowl strollers and child carriers with mosquito nets when exterior.
CAES makes use of 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 88 cities all through the state.
For extra details about West Nile virus, click on right here.
