East Hartford Health Department Encourages Residents to Take Protective Measures Against Mosquitos

East Hartford, CT— Given that recent State DPH and CT Agricultural Experiment Station reports have indicated the presence of West Nile Virus in mosquito samples taken nearby in Hartford, and other neighboring towns, the Town of East Hartford would like to remind residents of the importance of taking personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites. 

The presence of this virus often occurs this time of year and it’s driven by the type of mosquito species that becomes prevalent in August. Therefore, citizens are strongly encouraged to continue to take personal protective measures against mosquitos which includes removing sources of standing or still water (prime mosquito breeding grounds) such as clogged gutters, tarps, tires, rain barrels, children’s toys, lawn ornaments and flower pots.

Residents should also take protective measures to reduce contact with mosquitos, such as reducing time spent outdoors at dawn and dusk in heavily infested areas, wearing long sleeves and pants and using insect repellants. Due to an exceptionally wet spring, there has been a significant mosquito infestation in East Hartford. The Town has adjusted its mosquito control program accordingly to reduce mosquito populations and continues to administer our mosquito control program, with the latest field inspection and larviciding reports indicating low to medium larvae amounts in the 16 sentinel areas that we monitor and treat. The East Hartford Health Department will continue to spray the areas when and where necessary.