From the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

On May 23, the State Mosquito Management Program announced the first bird positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in Connecticut, submitted from Milford and tested through the State’s bird surveillance system. The City of Milford has a comprehensive mosquito control program that includes larviciding and mosquito breeding site reduction. No other preventive measures are needed at this time. Finding a positive crow this early in the season poses a very low risk to the public, however, it is always prudent to avoid mosquito bites at anytime during the season.

As of May 18, 20 birds have been submitted for testing from 14 towns in five counties. Out of the 20 birds fifteen were crows, and the others were a bluejay, sparrow, catbird, thrush and ovenbird. Of the twenty birds submitted one crow is positive, 7 other birds are negative and 12 are pending.

On Thursday, May 24, 2001, weather permitting, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), in coordination with the Milford Health Department, will place mosquito traps near the area where the dead bird was found. These traps will help to determine the level of WNV activity and the number and species of mosquitoes in the area.

Test results on dead birds and bird sightings will be issued weekly by DEP on Wednesday. DEP will report dead bird sightings, bird test results and important information to the public through press releases, the automated phone line and this website.

2001 MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT SEASON PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING SCHEDULED IN FAIRFIELD

A Regional public information meeting providing an overview of the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program’s 2001 West Nile Virus Surveillance and Response Plan is scheduled for May 31, at 7:00 p.m. at the Schine Auditorium on the campus of Sacred Heart University, Fairfield. A question and answer period will follow presentations by the Department of Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department of Public Health.