August 8, 2012

DILLON URGES CAUTION OUTDOORS
West Nile virus found in mosquitoes in New Haven

Rep. Pat Dillon alerted residents that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found in 32 Connecticut municipalities, including New Haven.

“Our community understands the seriousness of West Nile virus,” Rep. Dillon said. “That is why we all need to be vigilant during the height of mosquito season.”

In 2006, an elderly resident of the West River neighborhood died from West Nile virus.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, based in New Haven, recommends a series of precautions to minimize exposure to mosquitoes:

• Limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn
• Wear protective clothing
• Use insect repellants containing DEET
• Empty all sources of standing water on your property

“Empty bird baths, buckets and any ornamental pools, rain barrels,” Rep. Dillon said. “These are all potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.”

Last year, nine human cases of West Nile were reported in Connecticut. Symptoms of West Nile include skin rash, fever, and headache.