Dear Resident,

As we are sometimes painfully aware, the mosquito breeding season is upon us once again. This statement carries added importance in Connecticut because of mosquito borne viral diseases such as eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and west nile virus (WNV).

There is a statewide plan in place to deal with these diseases. The plan is called the West Nile Virus Surveillance and Response Plan, which is updated annually. As its name suggests, the main focus of the plan is surveillance.

Surveillance is simply the tracking of the virus. Several state and local agencies are cooperating to track WNV in our state. The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), is trapping and testing mosquitoes. The CAES has set mosquito traps in each town within our health district as well as surrounding towns. These traps are checked every ten days for types and numbers of mosquitoes, which are tested to see if they carry any virus.

Similarly, the CT Dept. of Agriculture (DoAG), is tracking WNV in domestic animals. If you suspect your pet or domestic farm animal is displaying symptoms related to WNV, you should contact your veterinarian, who will report any suspected animal cases to the DoAG. Horses in particular have been found to be susceptible to WNV.
Lastly, and most importantly, the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) is working with doctors who will report any encephalitis that may indicate human WNV infection.

In the past, the DPH also looked for WNV in dead wild birds. However, the history of WNV to date has shown that mosquito tracking is most reliable in tracking these viruses and has suspended routine dead bird collection and reporting. If you do see a dead bird(s) in your yard, and wish to dispose of them, they could be double bagged and put in with your household trash. Although you cannot get WNV from a dead bird, please wear gloves when handling any dead wild animal, and birds do carry a variety of parasites.

Through these different tracking systems, the presence and intensity of WNV in our area should be known. If we are getting reports of positive mosquitoes, we will make that known to the public, and surveillance will continue. The plan allows for spraying for adult mosquitoes only if the virus is directly resulting in a number of human cases, and the mosquito season is not near a close.

The East Shore District Health Department, as well as your town leaders, have taken an active role in local efforts to reduce mosquito populations. Since killing mosquito larvae is the most effective and safe control, we are continuing a district wide mosquito larviciding effort to minimize the populations of certain types of mosquitoes. It is important to know that our mosquito control efforts are directly related to reducing risk. This is not a program to eliminate nuisance mosquitoes, but is a program to control populations of mosquitoes considered important disease vectors.
We have some criteria with which you need to evaluate whether or not mosquito control is your responsibility or can be referred to us for follow up. If the area you are concerned about is within your property boundaries, the responsibility for treatment is yours. You should read through this pamphlet for guidance.

If the area of concern is beyond your property limits and is more of an area problem, you may make a referral to us by completing the enclosed Request for Mosquito Habitat Evaluation form and returning it to us. Please provide accurate information on the form. Criteria to implement any mosquito control are: that the area is larger than just your property; is actually breeding mosquitoes; and is an area where a lot of people live. If your area meets this criteria, then a referral will be made to our mosquito control contractor to apply larvicide.

Many of our calls from residents have described a wetland area, some with a small watercourse, but little or no standing water which is needed for mosquitoes to breed. Many of the areas just described will dry up as the summer progresses, and are not treatable for mosquito larvae. Also, mosquitoes do not breed in moving water such as streams and rivers. The conditions just described are not important mosquito breeding areas and will not be treated.
As a concerned citizen you can do your part by taking personal protective measures against mosquito bites, some of which are listed in this booklet, and help with mosquito control by eliminating stagnant water on your property. This pamphlet also offers guidance on these actions.

Hopefully, through the many efforts described above, the spread of these viruses to humans can be averted. Remember, we must all do our part.

Director of Health