Mosquitoes in Connecticut test positive for rare but serious virus



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Connecticut health officials say a rare but serious virus has been detected in mosquitoes in the southeastern state for the first time this year.

Connecticut Department of Public Service Recently announced health Mosquitoes trapped in the Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown on September 23 tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEE), which is spread by infected insects. Mosquitoes contract the virus by feeding on infected birds.

While the virus is typically found in mosquitoes that feed on birds, testing by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has revealed infected mosquito species known to bite humans and horses.


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“We encourage people in Southeast Connecticut to take simple steps such as wearing mosquito repellent and covering bare skin, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani in a statement.

“While the detection of the EEE virus is concerning, it’s important to remember that we don’t expect to see a lot of mosquito activity in October,” Juthani said.

The virus can cause mild symptoms such as fever and joint or muscle pain in humans. Severe cases of infection can be fatal, leading to swelling of the brain or meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most people who are infected do not develop any symptoms.

The EEE virus is spread through mosquito bites and is not transmitted directly from person to person. The CDC says only 5 to 10 cases of the virus are reported each year, with most cases reported in the Atlantic or Gulf Coast states.


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