(Updated on Oct. 7, 10:17 a.m.)

Three people have died in eastern Connecticut after contracting Eastern Equine Encephalitis from mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus, and a fourth person remains hospitalized with EEE, according to a Connecticut Department of Public Health press release from Oct. 1.

Scientists are testing mosquitoes across the state for the EEE virus and as of Oct. 5 The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reported that 19 towns have found EEE-positive mosquitoes. While no mosquitoes carrying the virus have been detected in Hamden, North Haven or New Haven, local officials, including those at Quinnipiac, are urging residents to avoid the outdoors between dusk and dawn when the mosquitoes are most active.

Starting on Oct. 1, Mayor Curt Balzano Leng suspended town and school activities from dusk until dawn at the recommendation of the regional public health organization, the Quinnipiack Valley Health District. Officials are taking extra precautions to limit resident exposure to mosquitoes after scientists found insects carrying the virus in Bethany. Public health officials note that the species of mosquito found in Bethany does not typically bite humans, but commonly feeds on birds.

Health District Recommends Suspending Outdoor Activities from
Dusk to Dawn Due to Mosquito EEE Virus Precaution

QVHD has recommended the suspension of school and town sponsored activities at dawn or dusk, when mosquitos are most active…. https://t.co/b5drvnEA5r

— Curt Balzano Leng (@curtleng) September 28, 2019

Quinnipiac officials are also taking caution, restricting outdoor activities and events that occur just after the sun sets and rises.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued a press release  on Sept. 24 warning residents to be careful, but not panic, after the first person died from EEE this year. Officials have also put up warning signs on highways all over the state to spread the message and encourage people to “avoid outdoors [at] dusk and dawn” even in towns where EEE infected mosquitoes have not been found. (Click on the image below to see the full message of the sign near the I-95 on-ramp in Milford).

Connecticut isn’t alone, as local news outlets report Rhode Island has experienced three human cases and one death from EEE. Massachusetts has experienced 11 human cases and four deaths.

Steve Mansfield, the health director of the Ledge Light District, which includes much of eastern Connecticut, was one of the first health officials to deal with re-emergence of EEE in the state.

“We were contacted by the state department of epidemiology a few weeks ago to notify us about the first positive mosquito pools in Connecticut,” Mansfield said. “The most important thing now is we’re waiting for a hard frost because that’s how the mosquitos will die.”

Mansfield explained that the EEE virus is relatively uncommon. Prior to this year, Connecticut had not seen any cases of EEE since 2013. 

“Although the disease is very severe, it’s between 30 to 50 percent fatality rate and it’s extremely rare,” Mansfield said.

Mansfield further explained that people who survive EEE typically suffer from cognitive impairment, such as impaired memory or dementia. Some symptoms of EEE include chills, fever, malaise (discomfort), arthralgia (joint pain), and myalgia (muscle pain). Symptoms don’t typically show up until three to ten days after a bite.

Towns across the state are taking different measures to protect residents.

Concerns about the virus have spread to high school athletics, which have postponed or moved up events, according to Twitter accounts from Xavier High School, Stonington High School, Ledyard High School and Windsor public schools.

Stonington 40, Montville 34 – Final
suspended after 3 quarters EEE restrictions until Saturday, 10 a.m. #cthsfb

— CIAC Football (@ciacfb) September 14, 2019

Mosquitoes in the area have tested for EEE, leading to other games getting postponed. #cthsfb

— Dave Ruden (@DaveRuden) September 13, 2019

Health officials say that limiting exposure to mosquitoes is a quick way to act upon the virus.

“I think it’s preventive, very cautious and assuring that people who do not want to take action against mosquito bites are not caught off guard,” said Balch of QVHD. “I don’t think it’s necessary in every town of the state to try to prevent mosquito bites.”

Mansfield added that Connecticut residents can take further steps to protect themselves.

“People can minimize outdoor activity around dusk and dawn, wear long sleeves or protective clothing that can cover as much skin as possible,” Mansfield said. “That’s the most effective way to prevent the disease.”

But getting the correct information out to the public is also key.

“We field a lot of phone calls from people who are very concerned and haven’t done their research,” said Mansfield. “They start asking questions, so the most important thing is spreading that message.”

Balch of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District wants residents to feel comfortable contacting her office for more information and guidance. 

“I do feel for anyone who is confused by the multiple messages or the level of messaging that’s going out from different areas of the state,” Balch said.

“Whether it’d be the media, department of transportation, from one town to the next town they must find it very confusing. I want them feeling comfortable calling the health department.”

To reach a public health official at QVHD, residents can call 203-248-4528.

By Jordan Wolff

One week into the ban on plastic straws and bags in Hamden, some businesses aren’t complying with the ordinance.

Under the rules, which went into effect on Sept. 12, Hamden businesses may not offer or sell plastic checkout bags to customers and should only offer single-use drinking straws upon request by a customer.

A survey of more than a dozen restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores showed that most have switched to paper and reusable bags, but some aren’t following the rules on straws.

For example, reporters observed on Sept. 20 that the McDonald’s near Hamden Plaza and Dunkin Donuts on Whitney Avenue are still giving straws with iced coffees in the drive throughs. Common Grounds on Dixwell Avenue and multiple Dunkin Donuts are keeping straws by the milk and napkin station, but the ordinance states that businesses are supposed to keep straws behind the counters.

And some stores, including Krauszer’s, are still charging 10 cents for plastic bags, which is also in violation of the ordinance..

Leslie Balch, director of health at the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, confirmed that these actions do not comply with the new rules. Businesses not in compliance will be notified by a Hamden Litter Enforcement Officer on potential citations and fines..

However, Balch noted that most retailers and restaurants have cooperated so far.

“From what we’ve been able to observe within a week, we’ve seen a lot of really good compliance,” Balch said. “We have the advantage of the state law, and the idea which we like to promote of bring your own bag and decrease single-use items. So, we’ve seen a great acceptance of it, without a lot of complaints.”

Quinnipiac businesses such as the bookstore and Starbucks also have to comply. A reporter noted that the bookstore is promoting paper and reusable bags and that Starbucks employees will only give plastic straws if asked by the customer.

Yet some Hamden business owners say they feel the ordinance won’t have any resounding changes, and worry that it has upset many customers.

“The ridiculous ban, it doesn’t make sense to us,” Karen Brown from Glenwood Drive-in said. “It was rushed.”

One of the biggest complaints is  that customers don’t want to purchase reusable bags, or pay for single-use bags if they choose to use those.

“Single-use bans are not going to have any effect other than annoying people who have to now buy bags,” said Kim Taldridge, co-owner of KayCee Farms.

Hamden isn’t the only town that has enacted the ban in 2019. With a 2021 state-wide ban looming, 15 towns have decided to act right away.

Balch knew it was only a matter of time before Connecticut officials addressed the issue of plastic waste.

“It is my belief that the state has entertained the possibility and looked at the idea for the past couple of years,” Balch said. “Many of the towns in Connecticut decided rather than wait to see what happens, they would embark on the research and everything involved with doing it on their own. That’s what Hamden did.”

The Hamden ordinance was passed in February due to the efforts of Hamden Councilman Brad Macdowall, who has a strong focus on conserving the environment.

Many business owners are in favor of the ordinance.

“We’ve always been using only paper, it just makes more sense,” Venice Bakery cashier Katie said.

Venice Bakery isn’t alone.

“We only use paper bags, brown and white,” Linda DiSorbo of DiSorbo’s Italian Bakery said.

 Hamden Scuba employee Kevin O’Sullivan believes that both paper and plastic bags will always present a challenge

“We need to find a balance. The reason we went to plastic in the first place is because we were chopping down too many trees to make paper bags. Single-use is the problem, and for most people that is plastic.” 

Despite not being allowed to purchase plastic bags, the QVHD clarified that residents can bring plastic bags into stores.

Moving forward, Balch wants residents to understand the environmental purpose of using plastic bags and straws.

“What we want to do, is not for the enforcement but for the value of seeing a change in our habits,” Balch said. “As soon as the state law came in, we’ve already seen a change and I think we’re going to be fairly successful.”