Mosquitoes in Groton Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Ledge Light Health District reported that mosquitoes trapped in Groton on August 12 tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Although positive WNV mosquitoes are normally expected during the summer months, their presence serves as a reminder for residents to take standard precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, Epidemiologist Russel Melmed of LLHD stated in an August 19 press release.

Ledge Light Health District has a supply of larvacidal briquettes that can be used to treat standing water on private property, Melmed said.

The larvacide prevents mosquitoes from developing into adults. Residents of municipalities served by Ledge Light Health District may request treatment of standing water on their property by calling Felix Prokop III at 860-448-4882, Ext. 329.

A district sanitarian will visit your property and apply the larvacide to the area of standing water, Melmed said. The treatment will last approximately 30 days.

“The treatment of stagnant water with larvacide, coupled with the additional protective measures listed [below], will significantly reduce the potential for West Nile Virus transmission,” he said.

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
• While outdoors, 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 them according to label instructions
• The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.

When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors, LLHD staff said. They recommend washing treated skin when returning indoors and said it should not be applied under clothing, on any wounds or irritated skin or on the hands of children. DEET should not be applied on infants less than two months of age, staff said.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home include:

• Disposal of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, and tire swings
• Drilling holes in the bottom of containers, such as those used for recycling
• Cleaning clogged roof gutters
• Turning over objects that may trap water when not in use, such as wading pools and wheelbarrows
• Changing water in bird baths on a weekly basis
• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools and covering pools when not in use
• Using landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property

For more information on West Nile Virus, click here.

About Ledge Light Health District

LLHD serves as the local health department for East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Waterford and New London. As a health district, formed under Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-241, LLHD is a special unit of government, allowing member municipalities to provide comprehensive public health services to residents in a more efficient manner by consolidating the services within one organization.

Photo by photochem_PA, via flickr creative commons