Officials: West Nile virus confirmed in mosquitoes collected from Danbury testing site

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The Connecticut Mosquito Management Program says it confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected from a testing site in Danbury. Officials said Thursday marked the first positive identification of the virus in Danbury for this season. The virus is spread when you're bitten by an infected mosquito. Officials said residents should minimize time outdoors between dusk and dawn and use mosquito repellents when outside. “We urge all residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites," said Fernanda Carvalho, City of Danbury director of Health and Human Services. Carvalho said the city contracts a mosquito management company to treat over 5,000 catch basins throughout Danbury annually. No human cases have been reported in Danbury at this time. The Connecticut Mosquito Management Program says 180 human cases of West Nile virus, including four fatalities, have been reported in Connecticut residents since 2000. "