The State Mosquito Management Program announced on August 8, 2007 that mosquitoes trapped in Stamford on July 30, 2007 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These are the first positive mosquitoes identified in Stamford this year by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). The Stamford Department of Health and Social Services is recommending all residents take personal protection precautions to avoid mosquito bites. According to the State's announcement, the positive mosquitoes were Culex pipiens, a species known to be important in WNV transmission in our region. :The continued isolations of West Nile virus infections indicate that the virus is building across the State," said Theodore G. andreadis, Ph.D., Chief Medical Entomologist, CAES. "We will continue to monitor mosquitoes throughout the summer and fall." Most people who are infected with WNV and become ill will have a mild illness that may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or a skin rash. Less frequently, people develop severe illness of the nervous system that can also include neck stiffness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Persons older than 50 years of age are more likely than younger persons to suffer the more severe health consequence if they become infected with WNV. “We expected that we would have mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus in Stamford this year ,” said Johnnie A. Lee, MD, MPH, FACP, Director of Health and Social Services. “That is why we make an effort to educate the public regarding what measures they can take to protect themselves from mosquitoes. We have both printed material available at the Health Department as well as electronic material posted on the City of Stamford website. We urge all citizens to take the necessary precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes”
Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:
• Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven. • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
• Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use them according to label instructions.
• When using DEET (the most widely used insect repellent), use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than 2 months. Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home include:
• Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings
• Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling
• Clean clogged roof gutters
• Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use such as wading pools and wheelbarrows
• Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, pool covers
• Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property. Disposal of Dead Birds • Dead birds can be wrapped in newspaper, placed in a double plastic bag and placed out with the household trash. • Birds can also be disposed of on-site by burying 2-3 feet deep. • As for handling any dead animal, people should not handle birds with bare hands. For general West Nile Virus information, Stamford residents may call the Stamford Health Department between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (203)977-4368. Additional resources for information on West Nile virus and mosquito management include: • The Department of Public Health website
• The Department of Environmental Protection website at http://dep.state.ct.us or 24-hour (toll-free in Connecticut) recorded mosquito information line (866) WNV-LINE (1-866-968-5463) or (860) 424-4184.
• The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Web site at http://www.caes.state.ct.us
• The Department of Agriculture Web site
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov. |