PRESS RELEASE

September 19, 2019    

MADISON CONTINUES TO ADVISE RESIDENTS TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID MOSQUITOES

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS (EEE) 

Madison, CT – The Health Department advises residents to continue to protect themselves and their children. The mosquitoes that carry the virus are active until the first heavy frost. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and generally do not feed in temperatures below 50 degrees. Some species go into hibernation during the colder months, and in other mosquito species it’s the larvae that go into hibernation in the winter. There are several different species of mosquitoes in the state of Connecticut and not all of them are human biters; some are day biters, other night biters, and some feed mostly on livestock.  

Avoid unnecessary trips into mosquito breeding grounds and marshes as the mosquitoes are associated with freshwater swamps. Overnight camping or other substantial outdoor exposure in freshwater swamps should be avoided.  Even though the temperatures are getting cooler, it is important to take measures to prevent mosquito bites, including wearing protective clothing and using repellents. 

Despite the EEE-infected mosquitoes that were detected in the southeastern corner of the State, the numbers are declining and we are not experiencing the excessively high levels of activity seen in other towns or states. There are currently no plans to implement widespread aerial pesticide spraying in Madison. The town’s Mosquito Control Program has been implemented every-year from April to September for over 20 years through Innovative Mosquito Management, LLC. Efforts of larviciding and investigation have reduced mosquito populations in town. 

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes residents should:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.

For more information about EEE prevention, visit this CDC website:  https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/gen/pre.html

For the latest mosquito test results, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program web site at https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito