West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes trapped on Aug. 1 in Keney Park in Hartford and the city's Health and Human Services team will be there with mosquito repellant tonight for free "Movies in the Park."
West Nile virus has also been found in mosquitoes in Chester, East Haven, Stamford and Voluntown.
The mayor’s office in Hartford said state officials notified the city this week that mosquitoes trapped on Aug. 1 in Keney Park tested positive for West Nile virus. There have been no reported cases of anyone with West Nile virus in Hartford.
Mayor Luke Bronin is urging residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and asked them to report any potential West Nile virus infections to a health care professional.
“We do not have any reported West Nile infections in Hartford, but we take this positive test seriously, and we encourage residents to take basic steps to prevent mosquito bites,” Bronin said in a statement. “Tonight, we have one of our free ‘Movies in the Park,’ in Keney Park, and our Health and Human Services team will be there with mosquito repellant to make sure residents are safe. Please report any potential West Nile virus infection to a health care professional. I want to thank the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for their work to detect West Nile virus in Hartford.”
The positive mosquito is Culex Pipiens, a predominantly bird-feeding species that has been identified with WNV in previous years, city officials said.
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The mayor’s office said the City of Hartford works to control the mosquito population to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. The city’s catch basins are treated twice over the summer and Keney Park is also treated.
Another virus spread by mosquito, Jamestown Canyon virus, has been found in Canaan, Fairfield, Haddam, Hampton, Litchfield/Morris, Milford, North Haven, North Stonington, Shelton, South Windsor, West Haven and Westport.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, was found in mosquitoes in Voluntown.
Horses Infected:
On Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture announced that a quarter horse in Colchester tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and a draft cross horse in Easton tested positive for West Nile Virus, WNV.
The quarter horse had a high fever and it continuously walked in circles and stumbled into stall walls. The animal, which eventually died, had no documented history of EEE or WNV vaccinations.
The draft cross horse is receiving specialized medical treatment and recovering well. It was last vaccinated for West Nile virus May.
“Horse owners should review vaccination records with their veterinarians to ensure that EEE and WNV vaccinations are current and their horses are protected during the mosquito season,” Dr. Mary Jane Lis, State Veterinarian for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, said in a statement.
What You Need to Know About Jamestown Canyon Virus:
Jamestown Canyon virus rarely occurs in people in Connecticut or the United States, according to the state Department of Public Health. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat JC virus infection.
It has been found in mosquitoes in Canaan, Fairfield, Haddam, Hampton, Litchfield/Morris, Milford, North Haven, North Stonington, Shelton, South Windsor, West Haven and Westport. Get more details here.
What You Need to Know About West Nile Virus:
West Nile virus, which is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes, is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness across the United States, including in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Health. The symptoms you could experience from an infection range from none to severe.
Severe symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC, and you should see a doctor if you develop them.
It has been found in mosquitoes in Chester, East Haven, Hartford, Stamford and Voluntown.
What You Need to Know About Eastern Equine Encephalitis:
Eastern Equine encephalitis virus is also spread through bites from infected mosquitoes and the state Department of Health reports EEEV is rare in the United States with an average of seven cases reported each year. No vaccine is available.
Approximately one third of people who become sick from EEEV will die from the illness, according to the state Department of Health. They urge that early treatment can lower the risk of complications and death.
It has been found in mosquitoes in Voluntown.
Find out what you need to know about the symptoms from the CDC.
Prevention:
The best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. Find tips here.
