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West Nile Virus Confirmed in Greenwich Resident
Today the Greenwich Department of Health was notified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health that an elderly resident from Greenwich has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The individual, between 80-89 years of age became ill in late August with fever, headache and neurological symptoms and is currently hospitalized. This is the third case of human WNV infection acquired in CT this year.
"This case of human illness demonstrates that WNV can cause serious illness and whenever the virus is present, there is a potential for human infection. There will continue to be infected mosquitoes until the first frost so persons, particularly those older than 50 years of age, must take personal protection precautions to avoid mosquito bites when outdoors at any time of day, especially during twilight hours," said Caroline C. Baisley, Director of Health.
This is the third human case of WNV (acquired in CT) that the State has identified so far this year. WNV has been confirmed in a Trumbull resident (June) and a New Haven resident (August). In 2009, there were no human cases of WNV identified in the State, however, in 2008 there were six (6) cases of WNV confirmed.
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