The West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes were collected July 30 in the Cedar Lake area of North Branford.NORTH BRANFORD, CT —Mosquitoes recently sampled in North Branford have tested positive for, and carry, the West Nile Virus, the East Shore District Health Department said.The mosquitoes were collected on July 30 in the Cedar Lake area of North Branford, health officials said. The species of mosquito carrying West Nile Virus can be found in a wide variety of places, such as old tires, stagnant pools of groundwater, art...
The West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes were collected July 30 in the Cedar Lake area of North Branford.
NORTH BRANFORD, CT —Mosquitoes recently sampled in North Branford have tested positive for, and carry, the West Nile Virus, the East Shore District Health Department said.
The mosquitoes were collected on July 30 in the Cedar Lake area of North Branford, health officials said. The species of mosquito carrying West Nile Virus can be found in a wide variety of places, such as old tires, stagnant pools of groundwater, artificial containers, or catch basins, the department noted in a news release.
Mosquitoes are collected approximately every 10 days.
According to health educator for the department, Barbara Naclerio, the warm weather, high humidity, and frequent rainfall have created ideal conditions that are conducive to the spreading of West Nile Virus infected mosquitos.
"To this date, there have not been any human cases in Connecticut this summer," Naclerio said. "There has been an increase in human cases in Connecticut over the last several years, with 13 human cases in 2024 and 7 cases in 2023. People are most vulnerable to the West Nile Virus in August and September. There’s a good deal of summer remaining, and that means that mosquitoes will be with us for several more months, and we need to take the proper precautions to avoid mosquito bites."
The towns of Branford, East Haven, and North Branford have funded a mosquito larvicide program that includes application of larvicide to mosquito breeding areas, as well as storm water catch basin larvicide treatments. The health department administers the program that includes mosquito and human surveillance and aggressive elimination of mosquito breeding conditions, Naclerio noted,
Personal protection measures include:• Minimize time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn.• Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when and where mosquitoes are mostactive.• Use mosquito netting when sleeping and to protect small babies when outdoors.• Consider the use of mosquito repellent containing DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors.The Health District is also advising that people continue eliminating stagnant water in and around theirproperties.• Dispose of water holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings.• Drill holes in bottoms of recycling containers.• Clean clogged roof gutters• Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows, etc.• Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used, including pool covers.• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water on your property.
For more information, you may call the Health District at (203) 481-4233 or visit its website at www.esdhd.org.