Officials have identified an increase in the population of mosquitoes carrying a rare, but serious, virus in the state and are warning residents that despite cooler temperatures, "skeeter" season isn't over.
More than 30 human-biting mosquitoes carrying the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus were found in 12 towns this summer, including Guilford, North Branford, Madison and Killingworth, said Donna Tommelleo, a spokesperson from the office of Gov. M. Jodi Rell. The West Nile virus was found in 11 towns this year.
Connecticut has never seen a human case of EEE, "and Governor Rell wants to keep it this way," Tommelleo said. The state is currently working with local authorities to monitor mosquitoes and warn residents of the virus.
EEE is different and rarer than the West Nile Virus, Tommelleo said, in that its presence is erratic in nature. It isn't found in human-biting mosquitoes every year, but more often in ones biting birds.
The number of human-biting mosquitoes trapped and testing positive for the EEE virus hasn't been this high and widespread since 2004, when more than 35 were found.
Last year, none were found, while in 2007, five insects tested positive for the EEE virus, three tested positive in 2006, and none were found in 2005.
"The concern is that we're seeing them this late in the season," said Tommelleo, who added that a rainy summer may have led to the increase in EEE-carrying mosquitoes. "There's no vaccine ... and it can cause death in a third of human cases."
Symptoms appear from three to 10 days after being bitten and include a high fever, stiff neck, headache, a lack of energy and even swelling on the brain in serious cases.
Guilford Health Director Dennis Johnson said that no particular age group is more at risk for more debilitating symptoms after contracting West Nile or EEE and that there are antiviral drugs to treat symptoms.
While residents should take precautions to protect themselves, contracting it is unlikely, Johnson said.
"It's avoidable if you take the precautions, and the risk should diminish within a couple weeks when the first frost sets in," he said.
The risk should be minimized in October when frosts are seen throughout the state, Tommelleo said.
She explained that prime mosquito breeding grounds are rural areas and around swamps, but that all residents should take precautions.
Mosquito monitoring sites near ponds and swamplands in North Branford, where EEE-carrying mosquitoes have been found, are continuing to look for insects with West Nile and EEE, said Town Manager Richard Branigan.
"What's interesting is that the same protections or same methodologies that communities and individuals can use to lessen the exposure apply to both West Nile and EEE," he said.
Residents are advised to minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn, ensure that door and window screens fit tightly and are in good repair, wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts that are tightly woven and use repellent when outdoors. To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com. Copyright (c) 2009, New Haven Register, Conn. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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