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The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) said the infected mosquitoes were found across the region including Stamford, Chester, East Haven, Groton, Hartford, Manchester, New Haven, North Haven, North Stonington, South Windsor, Voluntown, West Haven, and Wethersfield.
In addition, eastern equine encephalitis virus-infected mosquitoes have been detected in two southeastern towns including Voluntown and Madison.
“We are seeing increases in the number of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus with expansion into new locations," said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the CAES. "Both viruses are expected to build-up in the mosquito population in the coming weeks and months ahead."
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in the United States and reemerges every summer in Connecticut. Since 2000, there have been 157 human cases of West Nile virus in the state, including four deaths, CAES officials said.
Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious mosquito-borne viral disease in people and horses. In Connecticut, outbreaks of EEE have occurred sporadically in horses since 1938 and the first locally-acquired human case and fatality was reported in the fall of 2013.
"The continued warm humid weather enhances mosquito biting activity and heightens the risk of acquiring West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus infection," said Dr. Theodore Andreadis, Director of CAES.
The office that although they will continue to monitor the situation closely with increased mosquito trapping and testing, they are urging residents throughout the entire state to take simple measures to avoid mosquito bites such as using mosquito repellent and covering bare skin, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
For more information, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program web site at https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito.
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