The CT Dept. of Public Health announced Thursday that an East Hartford resident was hospitalized in August after contracting mosquito-borne West Nile virus. East Hartford public health officials also confirmed the case the same time as the state made the announcement. The person has since been treated and released. Neither the state or the town identified who the person was, what neighborhood they reside in or even if the bite occurred in East Hartford or in the state. The patient was only described as female and between 50 and 59 years old.
She becomes the second case of WNV-associated illness officially identified in Connecticut in 2023. But others are likely to have contracted the virus and recovered after experiencing WNV, which has milder symptoms in those under age 60. The state health department said the unidentified patient became ill in the third week of August, was diagnosed with West Nile meningoencephalitis, and was hospitalized and has since recovered. Lab tests also confirmed the presence of antibodies to WNV.
“The identification of a Connecticut resident with West Nile virus associated illness requiring hospitalization emphasizes the potential seriousness of this infection,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “As we approach the cooler weather, it is important to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Using insect repellent, covering bare skin, and avoiding being outdoors during the hours of dusk and dawn are effective ways to help keep you from being bitten by mosquitoes.”
The Connecticut Mosquito Management Program traps mosquitoes and tests them in their state lab. But no traps are located in East Hartford, despite the town’s historically high number of mosquitoes, as many residents can attest. East Hartford also conducts extensive mosquito eradication efforts, spraying and placing anti-larval ‘dunks’ in catch basins. Last year the town spent more than $150,000 in two fiscal year payments to contract with a mosquito spraying company, which focuses on town parks where kids are active, and neighborhoods near Keeney Cove and along the Hockanum River at Martin Park, and educating the public.
“Although the town continues to administer its mosquito control program by treating town-owned properties, the general public are encouraged to be vigilant in eliminating standing water on your own properties to reduce mosquito breeding sites,” said Director of Health Laurence Burnsed.
“We continue to have weather conditions that are favorable for the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus,” added Philip Armstrong, ScD, medical entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. “These mosquitoes are most abundant in urban and suburban areas with dense human populations. We anticipate continued risk for human infection until mosquito activity subsides in October,” stated Dr. Juthani.
West Nile virus has been detected in Connecticut every year since 1999 and is the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Most people (eight out of 10) infected with WNV do not develop symptoms. About one in five people who are infected develop West Nile fever, an illness which includes fever and other symptoms, such as body aches, joint pain, headache, or a rash. Symptoms may occur two to 14 days after a bite and can include swollen lymph nodes, malaise and eye pain. Severe WNV affects the central nervous system and may include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and muscle weakness. If you or a family member think you have symptoms suggestive of WNV, talk with your health care provider. About one out of 10 cases of severe illness are fatal. People over age 60 or with compromised immune systems are at highest risk of serious illness.
WNV is spread by the Culex species, which are common. Culex mosquitoes rest on structures and in vegetation during the day, and come out biting at dusk and continue into the morning. WNV is spread from infected birds to people by mosquito bites. It cannot be transmitted from person to person touching, coughing or sneezing, but it can spread through blood transfusions, organ donation and from a mother to baby.
Tips for reducing mosquitoes
Mosquitoes require water for reproduction.
• Eliminate standing water suitable for mosquitoes. Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, and 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 weekly.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools. When pools are not in use, use pool covers and drain when necessary.
Tips for avoiding mosquito bites when outdoors
Mosquitoes require a blood meal for reproduction.
• Minimize outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven and loose fitting.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
• Consider the use of CDC-recommended mosquito repellents, containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, or 2-undecanone, and apply according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
• When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6 percent lasts approximately two hours and 20 percent for four 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 two months old.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair to avoid mosquito bites when indoors.
The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Connecticut Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science.
These agencies are responsible for monitoring the potential public health threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
The CAES maintains a network of 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 88 municipalities throughout the state (none in East Hartford). Mosquito traps are set Monday through Thursday nights at each site every ten days on a rotating basis.
Mosquitoes are grouped (pooled) for testing according to species, collection site, and date. Positive findings are reported to local health departments and on the CAES website at http://www.ct.gov/caes/mosquitotesting.
FMI on West Nile virus and how to prevent mosquito bites, visit www.ct.gov/mosquito.
