Officials say mosquitoes in six Connecticut towns have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Department of Public Health officials said Thursday that the mosquitoes were trapped in Darien, Guilford, New Haven, Stamford, West Haven, and Waterford from July 20 to 29.
Dr. Phillip Armstrong, a medical entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, says the number of infected mosquitoes and the number of infected towns are increasing.
According to the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program, a bite from an infected insect carries a one in 300 chance of development of the illness. West Nile Virus generally presents with mild fever and headache, but people over the age of 50 have a higher risk of a more severe form of the virus.
Officials are urging people to use insect repellant and empty standing water in and around their home.
There have been no reports so far this year of people or horses with mosquito-borne illnesses.
This report contains information from The Associated Press.