‘Abundance Of Caution’: DEEP To Spray For Mosquitoes At CT Forest

CONNECTICUT — When it comes to the spread of eastern equine encephalitis virus, Connecticut health officials aren’t taking any chances.

There have been no cases of EEE in humans in Connecticut so far this season, but the risk-level in the eastern part of the state for EEE remains elevated, according to the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

DEEP’s Mosquito Management Program will conduct insecticide spraying on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 29 (weather permitting) in the Mt. Misery area of Pachaug State Forest, where mammal-biting mosquitoes carrying EEE have been consistently detected.

This step is being “taken out of an abundance of caution” to minimize the potential for spread of the virus to humans, according to a news release from DEEP issued Wednesday.

Entrances to the state forest will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, and the forest and nearby roads will be closed for the evening. They will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. Residential portions of these roads still will remain accessible to residents.

So far this year in Connecticut, EEE has been detected in Canterbury, Ledyard, North Stonington, Sterling, and Voluntown. No human cases have been reported in Connecticut in 2024, but human cases have been reported in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, and New Hampshire — where there has also been one death. A white-tailed deer died from EEE earlier in August in Lisbon, CT.

The insecticide the Mosquito Management Program will spray contains the active ingredients sumithrin and prallethrin. When applied at appropriate rates this product does not affect humans, pets or other non-target organisms, according to DEEP officials. Campers have been notified of the spraying and have been advised to leave the area while spraying is conducted.

“Mosquitoes are still active, and residents should continue to take measures to prevent mosquito bites, especially during warm evenings when mosquitoes are most active,” said Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. “There is continued risk for mosquito-borne diseases until the first hard freeze when mosquito activity ends.”

The following forest roads will close beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29: DEP Trail 1, Gardner Road, Stone Hill Road, Trail 1, Lee Road, Lawrence Road, Trail 2, and Route 49 North entrance. Road gates in these areas will close during this time. Residential portions of these roads will still be accessible to residents. Visitors are advised to plan visits and activities accordingly to avoid the area while spraying is conducted. Campers have been advised to avoid the area until at least 10 p.m. Thursday night and will be permitted to return after 10:00 p.m.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, DEEP advises residents to:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Consider the use of mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone when it is necessary to be outdoors.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.

Residents also are encouraged to take steps at home to protect against mosquitoes, such as making sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair and not letting stagnant water collect around your home. Dump water out of old tires, wheelbarrows, and wading pools. More information on mosquito control around the home can be found on the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website.

“Since there is no vaccine for EEE, protection from this virus depends on personal protective measures to decrease exposure to infected mosquitoes,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Symptoms from EEE include severe headache and neck stiffness which can result in nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.”