UPDATED: West Nile Virus Found In More Communities After Latest Testing

UPDATE, Wednesday, 10 a.m.:

Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed in a widening area of Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.

Insects testing positive for the disease were trapped by workers with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) from June 27 to Aug. 1 in: Bethel, Bridgeport, Cheshire, Chester, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Groton, Hartford, Killingworth, Meriden, Milford, Monroe, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Newtown, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Shelton, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Westbrook, Westport, Wethersfield, and Wilton. This information comes from the State Mosquito Management Program.

The first selectman on Tuesday announced a plan to control mosquito larvae throughout the town by treating the 2,000-plus storm drains with larvacide pellets.

All detention ponds, stagnant streams, and inland wetlands located on Town property will be inspected and treated as necessary, according to the press release issued by First Selectman Michael J. Freda.

Lynn Sadosky, Director of Public Works, said that the treatment is via a pellet type system - not a spray - and the contractor for the town, Non-Tox will be treating all catch basins by the schools and senior housing complexes first and then the remaining basins in Town.  

Sadosky said there are a total of 2,011 basins but it's likely about 1,000 will be done this week - all six schools and the four or so senior housing complexes.

So far mosquitoes in 13 Connecticut towns have been found to be carrying the virus, which can infect humans. They are: Bethel, Danbury,Greenwich, , New Haven, Newington, Newtown, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, West Haven, Wallingford and Wilton.

The Town's Department of Public Works and the Quinnipiac Valley Health District (QVHD) are working together to address the concerns of residents regarding West Nile Virus and other potential mosquito-borne health matters, Freda's release stated. 

"Given the increase in “day biters,” we advise all residents to use extreme caution when outside and use insect repellants."

The town also recommends:

• Residents should also install or repair screens on windows and doors and utilize air conditioning if it is available.
• Residents are asked to eliminate any and all standing water on their properties such as flowerpots, buckets, and kiddies pools whenever possible.

Further information on mosquito management programs may be obtained by contacting the QVHD at www.qvhd.org or calling (203) 248-4528 or the Department of Public Works at (203) 239-5321, extension 400.