Connecticut Governor Rell Announces Stepped-Up Efforts to Combat Mosquitoes, Spread of West Nile Virus

August 16, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that state environmental protection and public health officials are initiating a series of steps to better safeguard the public from mosquito-borne West Nile (WNV) virus.

“It is time to put a more aggressive prevention strategy in place,” Governor Rell said. “We are going to take action now to limit the spread of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus. It is still relatively early in the season for WNV and we believe preventive measures can have a significant impact in reducing the presence of mosquitoes carrying this virus.”

The Governor said the heightened prevention strategy includes:

• Offering municipalities supplies of larvicide to use in the control of mosquito populations. Larvicide – contained in pellets and other non-spray forms – kills larva in mosquito breeding areas.

• Providing stepped-up technical assistance to local officials, especially in high-risk areas along the coast or in towns where mosquitoes carrying the virus have been identified.

• Directing the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Public Health (DPH) to work with local officials to create greater public awareness of steps that can be taken to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to reduce the presence of mosquitoes in people’s yards.

• Directing the DEP to intensify its surveillance and use of larvicide on any state-owned lands that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Governor Rell said she has sent a letter to chief municipal officials across the state informing them of the assistance and support the state is making available.

“Our plans include making your community and others full partners in this effort, because I know you share my interest in keeping the people of Connecticut safe and healthy,” Governor Rell said. I believe we can work together effectively to limit the impact of WNV.

“I am asking DEP to make available to you – at no cost to your community – additional supplies of larvicide that can be used to prevent new generations of mosquitoes from breeding,” the Governor wrote. “I have also asked DEP and DPH to make their personnel and resources available to you to assist in any way possible with important mosquito control programs.”

So far this summer, mosquitoes carrying WNV have been identified in three towns – Manchester, Stamford and West Haven. The positive mosquitoes were Culex pipiens, a species known to be important in the transmission of WNV in this region. Two people – residents of Danbury and New London – are recovering after having been diagnosed with WNV-associated illnesses last month.

In 2006, eight Connecticut residents were diagnosed with WNV infection and one person was infected while traveling out of the state. One person, an elderly New Haven resident, died.

Background on West Nile Virus and Control Efforts

DEP and DPH are part of an interagency Connecticut Mosquito Management Program, along with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), the Department of Agriculture and the University of Connecticut Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science.

To monitor WNV, the CAES maintains a network of 91 mosquito-trapping stations in 72 municipalities from June through October. August and September represent the peak time for transmission of WNV to humans.

Most people who are infected with WNV and become ill will have a mild illness that may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting or a skin rash. Infrequently, people develop severe illness of the nervous system that can also include neck stiffness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle weakness and paralysis. Persons older than 50 years of age are more likely than younger persons to suffer more severe health consequences if they become infected with WNV.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites

* Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
* Be sure door and window 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. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.
* 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 the home include

* Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, 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 bird baths on a weekly basis
* Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and when not in use, pool covers
* Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Additional resources for information on West Nile virus and mosquito management

* The Department of Public Health website at http://www.dph.state.ct.us
* The Department of Environmental Protection website at http://dep.state.ct.us or 24-hour recorded mosquito information line (866) WNV-LINE (1-866-968-5463) or (860) 424-4184.
* The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Web site at http://www.caes.state.ct.us
* The Department of Agriculture Web site at http://www.state.ct.us/doag
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov

Source: Connecticut Governor

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