West Nile virus (WNV) was first identified in Connecticut in 1999. The Department of Public Health (DPH) in collaboration with other state agencies and local governments implemented surveillance systems in 2000. These surveillance systems included tracking WNV infections in humans, horses, wild birds, and mosquitoes. It was determined that mosquito surveillance was the best sustainable indicator of potential human infections. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station maintains 91 mosquito trap sites in 73 towns statewide. The trapping sites were selected based on habitat, proximity to residential areas, and historical findings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),West Nile virus (WNV) infection can cause serious disease; considered a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

After being introduced by Mistress of Ceremony, Carol Kellog, Fairfield Chapter President, Denise DuBrino welcomed the attendees and likened the ICNC 2014 Annual Spring Seminar as the infection control version of the “Hunger Games.” This was it; the day had come when the Fairfield Chapter saw all their planning and hard work come to fruition. The seminar, held at the beautiful Aqua Turf Club hosted 120 attendees and 28 vendors.