AI Generated Image
Only this CT town has detected West Nile for the past five years
CT Insider • • health
Key Points:
- Milford is the only Connecticut town with confirmed West Nile virus detections every year for the past five years, with the first detection this year reported on July 7 from mosquitoes trapped on June 29; no human cases have been reported yet in 2026.
- Most West Nile virus detections in Connecticut occur in coastal and metropolitan areas such as Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, and Hartford, where the northern house mosquito, the primary vector, is most abundant.
- A recent study shows an increase in both the number and diversity of mosquito species in Connecticut over the past 25 years, contributing to a higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
- West Nile virus transmission occurs rapidly through mosquito saliva during feeding, with the virus cycling between birds and mosquitoes before spreading to humans, typically surfacing in late June or early July.
- The Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends using EPA-registered repellents, eliminating standing water, repairing window screens, and wearing protective clothing during peak mosquito activity times at dusk and dawn.
