Fight The Bite, Two Cases Of West Nile Virus Identified In City

News release from Mayor’s Office:

With the summer season almost behind us, Mayor Ganim and Health Director Maritza Bond continue to urge Bridgeport residents to take caution and use preventative measures to reduce Zika and West Nile Virus. The Connecticut Department of Public Health announced today that four human cases of West Nile Virus have been identified in Connecticut. Two of the four WNV infected patients are from Bridgeport and had become ill in mid to late August.

“We’ve had a lot of rain over the last several weeks that has caused water to gather and pool in containers, ceramics, tires, and other objects around the home. Standing water is a leading risk factor and way that mosquitoes breed and become a greater danger to all of us,” said Director Maritza Bond. “Our message for Bridgeport residents is to take all precautionary measures on protecting themselves against mosquitoes and to dump out any standing water around your home in order to reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.”

Health Director Bond has been informing and educating to prevent against Zika and West Nile Virus with the ‘Fight the Bite’ campaign now in its second year. Prevention tips include reducing mosquito breeding grounds around your home by eliminating any standing water and to continue to use mosquito repellent wipes while spending time outdoors. Bridgeport resident may receive insect repellent wipes at the Health Department at 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport. Residents are also encouraged to share this information on social media by hash-tagging #FightTheBite.

For more information about how to protect you and your family against mosquito-borne diseases, residents are urged to go to Bridgeportct.gov/FightTheBite.