Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Fairfield

[Editor's note: This story was originally published at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. It was updated at 8 p.m. Tuesday.]

Mosquitoes trapped in Fairfield has tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the town's Health Department. This is the first confirmed incident of infected mosquitoes in Fairfield this year. Click through for the rest of the story. 

No Fairfield residents have been identified with illnesses or symptoms relating to West Nile Virus this year. The mosquito was trapped and tested by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and the state's Department of Health Epidemiology Lab. 

"We want to encourage residents to reduce their risk of mosquito-borne illness by taking the appropriate precautions," Fairfield's Director of Health Sands Cleary said.

If you must be outdoors at dawn and dusk -- when mosquitoes are most active -- wear long-sleeved shirts and long plants, Cleary advised.

Use insect repellant but be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer's directions. It is also recommended that you eliminate standing water from your property -- empty water from unused bird baths, boats, buckets, tires, unused pools, roof gutters, and other containers.

For more ways to reduce your risk of getting bitten by a mosquito, see the Fairfield Health Department's website.

According to the Health Department: 

"Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms or may experience mild illness -- like a fever and headache -- before fully recovering. In some individuals -- particularly the elderly -- West Nile virus can cause serious disease that affects the central nervous system. At its most serious, it can cause permanent neurological damage and can be fatal. Symptoms generally occur five to 15 days following the bite of an infected mosquito, and range from a slight fever, headache, rash, swollen nodes and conjunctivitis (irritation of the lining of the eye) to the rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness, coma, or death."

Seven other municipalities -- Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, New Haven, Glastobury, and Plainfield -- have also reported West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes tested between July 2 and July 30.