West Nile Virus Found in Mosquitoes in Darien, Connecticut

Health Officials Confirm Detection

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes in Darien, Connecticut, marking the second time this year the virus has been found in a Connecticut town.

Monitoring and Detection

The Darien Health Department announced on Monday that the State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is actively monitoring mosquitoes for viruses that can cause illness in people. This includes West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, and Zika Virus. The program, coordinated by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, uses two mosquito traps in Darien. Test results are usually available about one week after mosquito collection, and positive results are reported to local health departments by the State Department of Public Health (DPH).

Current Findings

On Monday, the DPH reported that mosquitoes in Darien tested positive for West Nile Virus. Health officials noted that finding mosquitoes with WNV is common at this time of year throughout the state. They also emphasized that there have been no diagnosed cases of West Nile Disease in Connecticut residents so far this year.

Recent Context

This news follows an announcement from state officials about a week earlier that mosquitoes trapped in New Haven this month also tested positive for West Nile Virus. The New Haven finding was the first detection of the virus in Connecticut this year.

References

• Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
• State Department of Public Health