Mosquitos In Willington, Mansfield Test Positive For West Nile Virus

WILLINGTON/MANSFIELD, CT — Officials from the Eastern Highlands Health District's CT Mosquito Management Program said Thursday that mosquitoes trapped in Mansfield and Willington on Aug. 22 have tested positive for West Nile virus.

The results represent the first WNV positive mosquitoes identified in the Eastern Highlands Health District area by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station this year.

"With the first positive mosquitoes of the season in our area of the state, it is important to stay vigilant with avoiding mosquito bites till the season ends," said Robert Miller, the director of health at the EHHD. "As the virus amplifies in the mosquito population towards the end of the season, we may see more positive test results until the first hard frost.”

The presence of West Nile Virus is a "stark reminder" that warmer and wetter weather continuesto pose a risk of mosquito-borne diseases, Miller said.

The Eastern Highlands Health District is now urges residents to "take necessary precautions" to protect themselves and their families.

They include:

"It is important to note that some people who become infected with West Nile Virus do notexhibit symptoms," health district officials said. "However, some individuals, especially the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, may experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, WNV can lead to neurological complications."

Residents can obtain more mosquito information from the Eastern Highlands Health District at

The EHHD, formed in 1997, is the local governmental public health authority providing full-timeprofessional public health services to 10municipalities in eastern Connecticut. Townmembers include Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Scotland,Tolland and Willington.