For Immediate Release August 6, 2007
MANCHESTER HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The State Mosquito Management Program has announced that two young women, one from Danbury and one from New London, have tested positive for West Nile virus. Both cases became ill during the third week of July.
West Nile virus is an infection that can cause serious illness and in some cases death. Most people who become ill with West Nile virus have a mild illness that may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting or a skin rash. People of all ages are susceptible to West Nile virus, though older adults, especially those over 50, are more likely to develop serious symptoms which may include neck stiffness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle weakness and paralysis.
West Nile Virus is spread to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The peak time that the virus is transmissible to humans in Connecticut is now through the month of September until there is a killing frost.
West Nile virus activity started this season in Manchester with the discovery of positive mosquitoes trapped in June at a testing site in town. Testing is part of a statewide mosquito trapping and monitoring program. This is not the first time mosquitoes trapped in Manchester have tested positive for West Nile Virus and to date there have been no positive cases in Manchester. Recently, it was announced that mosquitoes trapped in July in West Haven have also tested positive for West Nile virus.
To protect yourself, you should remember to: