CT DPH West Nile Virus Update 8/29/18
On September 6, 2018 the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), a separate state agency that is responsible for trapping, identifying, and testing mosquitoes for encephalitis viruses (including West Nile Virus), reported that mosquitoes trapped in Shelton tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
The Shelton Avenue trapping station is one of 91 trapping stations monitored by CAES and the only trapping station in the jurisdiction of the Naugatuck Valley Health District.
The map on the left shows the locations of the 91 trapping stations. The map on the right shows the 2018 West Nile Virus Activity as of October 1, 2018, including positive mosquitoes, positive human cases and will be updated if any positive horse cases are reported.
Like many other towns in Connecticut, Naugatuck Valley Health District is advising residents to take the necessary precautions to reduce mosquitoes around your homes and avoid mosquito bites.
What are the symptoms of WNV?
Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About 1 in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will have symptoms which can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days to as long as several weeks.
No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know in advance if you will develop an illness or not.
Additional Mosquito Resources
CDC: Prevent Mosquito Bites
CDC: Controlling Mosquitoes at Home
CAES: State of Connecticut Mosquito Trapping and Arbovirus Testing Program
CT Mosquito Management Program
Fairfield Health Department: Mosquitoes YouTube Video
POST CREATED 8/29/18; REVISED 9/18/18; 10/1/18