A Connecticut resident has tested positive for West Nile Virus, marking the first human case in the state this year.
State Dept. of Public Health officials said the person testing positive for West Nile Virus is between 40 and 49 years old and became ill in the second week of July. Authorities said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of antibodies to West Nile Virus.
The person who tested positive for West Nile Virus lives in Waterbury, said public health officials, but may have exposed them there in the Newington or Wethersfield area. He or she has been restored.
“The identification of a Connecticut resident with disease association in West Nile virus underscores the need to take action to prevent mosquito bites,” said DPH Acting Commissioner Dr Diedre S. Gifford.
Doctors say that West Nile Virus should be on your radar because people spend more time outside people gathering and even eating out because of COVID-19.
Some patients experience no symptoms. Others could get muscle aches, headaches, fever and fatigue.
“A very small fraction, less than 1 percent, will develop neurological complications, including inflammation of the brain known encephalitis, meningitis and in some cases paralysis that is very similar to polio. Again, this is a minority, but it is obviously a disease that you want to prevent at all costs, “said Hospital of Central Connecticut Chief of Medicine & Hospital Epidemiologist Dr. Joseph Garner.
According to doctors, there are no specific treatments, so you want to do your best to avoid biting a mosquito in the first place.
“Using insect repellent, covering bare skin and preventing being outdoors during the hours of twilight and breakfast are effective ways to prevent yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes,” Gifford added.
Officials said West Nile Virus is the most common disease in the United States due to mosquitoes and that has been detected in Connecticut every year since 1999.
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