Health Department officials have begun weekly mosquito testing across the state and will post updates to its website of areas where mosquitos carrying illnesses are discovered.
Last year, eight mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile virus and eight others that tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis in Rutland and Franklin counties. Human illness from mosquitos is rare in Vermont, but two Rutland County residents died from EEE in 2012, and in 2013 two horses were infected and died.
Residents in those counties and elsewhere are encouraged limit their exposure to mosquitos, health department officials said in a Tuesday news release. While it has not been discovered, it’s likely there is EEE in other parts of the state, they said.
The risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses increases during the summer and persists into the fall. Simple steps, such as wearing long pants and sleeves when possible and draining standing water can help prevent bites, officials said.
For more information visit the Health Department website.
