Connecticut reports summer's first case of West Nile

A New Haven resident tested positive for West Nile virus infection, the first case in Connecticut this year, the state Mosquito Management program announced today.

The person, between 30 and 39 years old, became ill during the first week of August and was hospitalized the following week with meningitis related to the West Nile virus infection. Symptoms included headache, stiff neck, nausea and muscle weakness. The person has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering. Infected mosquitoes have been repeatedly trapped in New Haven and surrounding communities from July 12 through Aug. 8.

“August and early September is the time of the year when people are at greatest risk of illness associated with West Nile virus infections,” Randall Nelson, public health veterinarian with the state Department of Public Health, said in a news release. “DPH urges everyone to take the warnings of the risk of mosquito-transmitted illness seriously and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”

From June 27 to Aug. 8, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has identified West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in 40 towns, including Groton, Old Lyme, Westbrook and Chester. Mosquitoes testing positive for eastern equine encephalitis were trapped in Chester on Aug. 8.

For information on West Nile virus and preventing mosquito bites, visit: www.ct.gov/mosquito.