HARTFORD, Connecticut (WFSB) — Environmental officials said mosquitoes in 40 Connecticut towns have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The most recent detection was on Wednesday in South Windsor.
The highest number of mosquitoes testing positive is along the shoreline and in Fairfield County, and in the greater Hartford area.
So far, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has detected West Nile virus in the following communities: Bethany, Bridgeport, Chester, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Franklin, Greenwich, Haddam, Hamden, Hartford, Madison, Manchester, Meriden, Middlefield, Milford, Monroe, New Britain, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, North Branford, Norwalk, Orange, Shelton, South Windsor, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, West Hartford, West Haven, Westbrook, Weston, Westport, Wethersfield, Woodbridge.
Two human cases of WNV-associated illnesses have been identified this year in Connecticut.
There have been 136 human cases of West Nile virus, including three fatalities, that have been diagnosed in CT residents since 2000.
“This is the critical time of summer when virus activity reaches its peak in the mosquito population,” said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the CAES.
The hot and muggy weather is creating optimal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
For more on the state's testing procedures, head to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's website here.
