Ridgefield has survived yet another summer without a trace of West Nile Virus, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven.
The experiment station sets traps for mosquitoes all over the state and tests for mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile Virus, but for 20 years Ridgefield has passed with a clean bill of health.
“We see it in a lot of the neighboring towns, but not in the one trap site in Ridgefield,” said Philip Armstrong, a scientist with the experiment station.
Ridgefield’s Great Swamp is one of the 91 mosquito trapping and testing locations in the state operated by the lab.
The mosquito monitoring season began on June 1, is peaking just now, and ends with the first frost.
No people were reported to be ill with West Nile virus so far this year, Armstrong said.
However, the mosquito population is at its peak. The experiment station recommends that residents avoid mosquito bites by using a DEET-type repellent, and covering up their arms and legs when going out in at dusk or early morning, when female mosquitos are most active seeking blood.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, and rash.
Although there is no available vaccine or antiviral treatment for West Nile virus, over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and mild symptoms. For severe cases, hospitalization may be required to receive appropriate supportive treatment, according to the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.
The visiting nurses recommend people take precautions: Check that the screens on your windows are in good shape, and reduce the number of mosquito-breeding sites around your home by emptying standing water in flower pots, buckets and barrels, wading pools, gutters and birdbaths on a regular basis. Try to stay aware of the occurrence of West Nile virus in your area and take the precautions noted above to keep you and your family safe, the RVNA said.
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