July 21, 2025
Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Easton
The CT Mosquito Management Program has advised the Aspetuck Health District that a pool of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile Virus in Easton at the Sport Hill Road collection site. While this is Easton’s first notification of the season, mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have also been identified in Bridgeport and Stamford. There have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Connecticut so far this season. These events serve as a reminder for everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites at a time of the year when mosquitoes are abundant and active.
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, residents should:
• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• When it is necessary to be outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside.
For more information on the latest testing results and locations visit: the CT Mosquito Management Program and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station