Deadly EEE Virus Found After Mosquitoes Test Positive in Connecticut: Officials

Connecticut health officials issued warnings to residents after the potentially deadly mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was detected recently.

Mosquitoes that were found in the Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown on Sept. 23 tested positive for the virus, said the state’s Department of Health last week. The state then issued an alert to residents in the southeastern portion of Connecticut to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

“We encourage residents of southeastern Connecticut to take simple measures such as wearing mosquito repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” Public Health Department Commissioner Manisha Juthani stated.

Tests revealed that the mosquitoes were known to both feed on birds and mammals, respectively known as culiseta melanura and ochlerotatus canadensis.

“EEE virus is unpredictable and varies from year to year but we detect the virus in mosquitoes during most years,” Philip M. Armstrong, a virologist, told USA TODAY. “Major disease outbreaks are less common and occur about once every 5 years in Connecticut. The last time we had an outbreak occurred in 2019 and involved 4 humans cases (3 fatalities) and 6 horse cases in eastern Connecticut.”