Mosquitoes test positive for rare and potentially fatal virus in Connecticut

Eastern equine encephalitis, a serious but rare virus, has been detected in mosquitoes for the first time this year in Connecticut, according to state health officials.

Mosquitoes trapped in the Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown on September 23 tested positive for the virus, the Department of Public Health said on Saturday. The agency recommends that residents of Southeast Connecticut take precautions against mosquitoes.

Tests from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station showed that the infected mosquitoes were both biting species of birds and mammals.

“We encourage residents of 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,” the said. State Public Health Commissioner, Manisha Juthani. “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.”

The mosquito-borne virus causes severe inflammation in the brain in about 2% of infected adults and 6% of infected children. EEE is rare, occurring in about five to 10 people per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No human cases have been reported this year. Although the disease is rare in humans, the the death rate is high at about 30%, and many of those who recover continue to have neurological problems.

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes trapped in more than 40 cities across the state this year. Three people in Hartford, Bridgeport and West Haven have been infected.