Connecticut West Nile Virus Cases Surge in 2012

Connecticut reported 18 cases of West Nile Virus infections this year, doubling the number of cases reported last year. In 2011 there were nine cases of West Nile virus reported in the state.

Though no one in Connecticut this year died from the mosquito-born disease, which causes serious illness, the number of cases so far in 2012 also marks the most ever recorded in the state, according to one published report.

In Southington, Public Health Director Shane Lockwood has asked residents to remain aware of the growing rate of West Nile cases and take precaution to make sure you and your love ones don't contract the disease.

You can view a PDF of the town-by-town breakdown of Connecticut’s cases above.

State officials believe the increase in the number of West Nile surged in 2012 because of the warmer than normal winter in Connecticut, followed by a record-breaking heat wave this summer.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of Oct. 9 there were a total of 4,249 human cases of West Nile virus across the country, the highest number of West Nile cases reported to CDC through the second week in October since 2003. Almost 70 percent of the cases were reported from eight states - Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma and Illinois. Over one-third of those cases were in Texas.

In Connecticut officials with the state’s Mosquito Management Program track the spread of West Nile infection in mosquitoes.

You can view a town-by-town breakdown of the mosquito-testing program here.

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