Ledge Light Issues Alert After Waterford Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus | Stoneton

Residents of southeast Connecticut are urged to take precautions against mosquito bites after health officials said insects in a test group collected in Waterford carried West Nile virus.

The Ledge Light Health District announced on Tuesday that positive tests were found in a pool collected on July 20. The positive mosquito, culiseta melanura, feeds primarily on birds and is not considered a serious threat to cause infection in humans. However, the disease can spread between mosquito species and the health district urged residents to take precautions to stay safe.

“WNV positive mosquitoes are normally expected during the summer months, and their presence reminds residents to take standard precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” said Stephen Mansfield, Ledge Light’s health director. .

The warning was also issued by Stonington officials on the town’s Facebook page on Wednesday morning.

Officials said residents should consider taking specific measures to reduce exposure to mosquitoes, including minimizing time spent outdoors at dawn or dusk, wearing long pants and sleeved shirts. long when possible, making sure screens are snug and in good condition, and using products such as mosquito nets, repellents and other deterrents to repel mosquitoes.

Residents can also help reduce populations of mostquitos near their homes by approaching all areas with standing water, including removing water-filled vessels such as ceramic vessels or pots, cleaning them. clogged gutters, turning over objects that collect water such as buckets or barrels. and keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated.

Ledge Light Health District also offers larvicidal briquettes, a specific larvicide that prevents mosquitoes from developing into adults, which can be used to treat standing water on private property.

Residents of municipalities served by Ledge Light can request standing water treatment on their property by calling Kara Hovland at 860-448-4882, ext. 1308. A district health worker will visit your property and apply the larvicide to the area of ​​standing water. The treatment will take approximately 30 days.

Additional information resources on West Nile virus and mosquito management are available at http://www.ct.gov/mosquito/site/default.asp.