The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that a resident of Milford has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) infection. This is the first human case of WNV associated illness identified in Connecticut this season.
The patient, between 70-79 years of age, became ill during the fourth week of August with encephalitis and remains hospitalized. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of antibodies to WNV. This person did not travel out of the state before becoming ill.
“The identification of a Connecticut resident with West Nile virus associated illness that required hospitalization underscores the potential seriousness of infection,” said Dr. Raul Pino, Commissioner, Department of Public Health. “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.”
“We continue to have weather conditions that are favorable for the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus,” said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment station (CAES). “These mosquitoes are most abundant in urban and suburban areas with dense human populations. West Nile virus positive mosquitoes were identified in Milford on August 15th.”
