June 22, 2008
Governor Rell Announces Updated State Mosquito Control Efforts, New Web Site
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that in conjunction with National Mosquito Awareness Week, the state has launched a new mosquito management Web site to deliver the most up-to-date information on mosquito control efforts.
The site, www.ct.gov/mosquito will contain all announcements of mosquito testing results as well as educational information on ways Connecticut residents and visitors can avoid mosquito bites.
"The summer season is upon us and we want to make sure everyone is aware of how they can protect themselves from disease-spreading mosquitoes," Governor Rell said. "This new Web site will be a very important tool to make sure we all know how to do our part to minimize mosquito-borne diseases."
The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is an interagency program consisting of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the University of Connecticut Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science. The program is again monitoring mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause illness in people, including West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE).
The mosquito trapping and testing program, coordinated by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, began June 2. On Friday, the Experiment Station announced that a batch of mosquitoes trapped June 11 in Stonington became the first this summer to test positive for WNV. No human cases of the disease have been reported in Connecticut so far this year.
Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include:
Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts – Clothing material should be tightly woven Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use it according to label instructions The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6 percent lasts approximately 2 hours and 20 percent for 4 hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children or to infants under the age of 2 months
Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home include:
Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, tire swings Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling Clean clogged roof gutters Turn over objects that may trap water, such as wading pools and wheelbarrows, when not in use Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and cover when not in use Use landscaping techniques to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property
Additional resources for information include:
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