West Nile virus confirmed in second Greenwich resident

The Greenwich Health Service has been notified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health that another Greenwich resident has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

Individuals between the ages of 60 and 69 became ill during the third week of September with flu-like symptoms (fever, malaise, headache, etc.). This individual is recovering. Currently, this is the seventh case of human WNV infection acquired on CT this year.

“This second case of human illness shows that when the West Nile virus intensifies in the community, it poses a serious risk to human health. So far, mosquitoes infected with the virus are old. It is only isolated from mosquito collection sites in the Greenwich / Riverside area, so all residents of these areas are
Apply personal protection outdoors, especially before dawn and dusk to prevent mosquito bites. Caroline Baisley, director of health, said.

The virus (WNV) spreads to humans by being bitten by infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they are bitten by birds that carry the virus. WNV Absent It spreads from person to person, or from bird to person directly. Common symptoms occur suddenly 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, from mild fever, headache, rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, malaise, eye pain to severe headache, high fever. , From the rapid onset of neck stiffness. , Disorientation, severe muscle weakness, gastrointestinal symptoms, coma or death.

Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito can fight the infection and experience mild or no symptoms. Some people, including the elderly and those with weakened immunity, can cause serious illnesses that affect the central nervous system. In a small number of infected people, especially those over the age of 50, the West Nile virus can cause serious illnesses such as encephalitis and meningitis. Infections can be fatal in 3 to 15% of people with severe illness.

According to Baisley, the discovery of the West Nile virus in both humans and mosquitoes in Greenwich underscores the need for immediate personal protection to prevent mosquito bites day and night. ..

Outdoors, the following precautions should be taken:

• Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
• When using mosquito repellents with DEET, use the lowest concentration that is effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts about 2 hours, 20% lasts 4 hours) and when returning indoors. Wash the treated skin. Do not use under clothing, scratched or inflamed skin, children’s hands, or infants under 2 months of age.
• Avoid applying DEET repellents to infants and toddlers.
• Cover the arms and legs of children playing outdoors.
• Cover the playpen or carriage with mosquito nets.
• Do not camp overnight near stagnant or standing water.

Eliminate the accumulated water by the following method.

✓ Remove the water retention container (old tires, etc.).
✓ Scoop puddles and drain ditches, culverts, gutters, pools and boat covers.
✓ Cover the trash can.
✓ Chlorine the backyard pool and empty water pool when not in use.
✓ Change the water in the bird bath daily.
✓ Shorten the mowing and arrange the planting well around the house so that adult mosquitoes do not hide around the house.
✓ Ponds and stagnant waters that do not support mosquito larval-eating fish, frogs, or other amphibians can be treated with biological control agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis Israelsis (BTI). It is advisable to contact the Ministry of Health or the Department of Conservation when considering treatment.

Mosquito management brochures for the town of Greenwich are available throughout the community and on the town’s website at www.greenwichct.org.