'That definitely puts us on notice.' State's first 2025 case of West Nile virus found in Bridgeport
The state says this marks one of the earliest detections it has seen in the last 25 years of the state-wide monitoring program.
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The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program announced that mosquitoes trapped in Bridgeport on June 11 have tested positive for West Nile virus - marking the first positive tests in the state this year.
The state also says this marks one of the earliest detections it has seen in the last 25 years of the state-wide monitoring program.
"That definitely puts us on notice,” said Philip Armstrong, the lead scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, which identified the cases. “When the virus is here early, that gives it more opportunity to amplify in the mosquito population, and it could extend the transmission season for us."
State data says most people who get West Nile virus will not feel sick, and people in Bridgeport told News 12 that the news would not significantly impact their lives.
While Armstrong agreed that the presence of West Nile “shouldn't prevent you from going outside and enjoying your summer,” state numbers do show that 1 in 5 people who get the virus will deal with things like a fever, body aches, vomiting and a rash.
For 1 in 150 people, the symptoms can be serious and sometimes, fatal.
”We don't have a vaccine, and there's really not effective treatments if you get ill, so simply preventing mosquito bites is the first line of defense,” Armstrong said.
To do that, the City of Bridgeport recommends making sure windows have screens, wearing long clothing to cover your skin - especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are out more, and also, using bug spray.
”Not all mosquito repellents are created equally, there are some mosquito repellents that are approved by the EPA to be safe and effective,” warned Armstrong - who added that the EPA-approved repellents should have a seal on them.
The City of Bridgeport also says people can work to limit the number of mosquitoes around by trying to get rid of any standing water - like puddles, bird baths, or even pouring out watering bowls for pets, and cleaning out gutters.
