Precautions Against West Nile Virus Recommended

***WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE***

(August 25, 2006)--- The State Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported that mosquitoes trapped at various Greater Hartford Area locations tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). As of August 22, positive mosquitoes have been identified in Bridgeport, Danbury, East Haven, Glastonbury, Greenwich, New Haven, Southington, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Hartford. Additional surveillance data indicates that WNV is building up in Connecticut. The identified mosquito is Culex pipiens, a predominantly bird-feeding specie that have been associated with WNV in previous years. 

The City of Hartford Health and Human Services Department is recommending taking personal protection precautions to avoid mosquito bites. This is the time of year for peak risk exposure to WNV-infected mosquitoes.    It is important for residents to be aware of the risk of WNV infection and to recognize the importance of taking recommended personal protection precautions to avoid mosquito bites and of taking measures to reduce mosquito-breeding areas near their homes.  Until we have a consistent cold weather pattern, especially after a first frost, we are still in the high-risk season for WNV exposure. 

The City of Hartford Health and Human Services Department, in collaboration with DPH, Connecticut Agricultural Experimentation Station (CAES) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will continue to monitor the spread and occurrence of WNV infection in mosquitoes, humans, birds and domestic animals.  Meanwhile, we are recommending residents to take personal protection precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:

· Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.

· Be sure door and windows screens are tight fitting and in good repair.

· Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts.  Clothing material should be tightly woven.

· Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.

· Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use them according to label instructions.  The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin.

· When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 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 2 months.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around your home include:

· Dispose of water-holding containers like 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 birdbaths on a weekly basis.

· Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, pool covers.

· Use landscaping techniques to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Resources for Additional Information:

 CDC Fact Sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm

Hartford Health and Human Services Department at (860) 543-8800

The Department of Public Health, Epidemiology Program at (860) 509-7994 and Website at http://www.dph.state.ct.us

The Department of Environmental Protection Website at http://dep.state.ct.us or 24-hour (toll-free in Connecticut) recorded mosquito information line (866) WNV-LINE (1-866-968-5463) or (860) 424-4184.

The CT Agricultural Experiment Station Website at http://www.caes.state.ct.us

Contact:  Ramon Rojano, Director of Health and Human Services, at (860) 543-8860, rrojano@hartford.gov; Environmental Health/Epidemiology Program at (860) 543-8815, Connecticut Department of Public Health at (860) 509-7994; or CT Department of Environmental Protection at (860) 424-4184