Westbrook, CT - Health Department

08/27/2026

🚨 Connecticut reports its first human case of West Nile virus this year.

The Middlesex County man in his 30s, became ill in early August, was hospitalized, and has since recovered. Risk remains elevated: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has detected WNV in mosquito pools in 34 Connecticut towns this season.

As summer winds down, it’s still important to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

🦟 Use EPA-registered insect repellent
👕 Wear long sleeves and pants when possible
🌅 Limit time outdoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
💧 Remove standing water around your home at least once a week

Most people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms, but the virus can cause serious illness, particularly in adults age 60 and older. Learn more about West Nile virus and how to protect yourself and your family: https://ow.ly/cfHK50ZG8AP

08/26/2026

🦇 This year, there has been an increase in the number of bats submitted to the Westbrook Health Department for rabies testing. Fortunately, all bats have tested negative for rabies.

Any bat that has had the potential to be in contact with a Westbrook resident is eligible to be submitted to the Westbrook Health Department for rabies testing. This includes bats that residents have found in a bedroom where someone has been sleeping. If there's uncertainty on whether someone has been exposed, please contact the Westbrook Health Department and we will facilitate having the bat tested for rabies expeditiously.

Residents can retain the services of a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) to assist in capturing a bat inside a home.
A list of NWCO's in Connecticut can be found here:https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/nwco/nwcodirpdf.pdf

Bats play a vital role in our ecosystem, and they do not all carry rabies, as seen by our test results. it's important to recognize possible signs of rabies in bats. Unusual behaviors that could indicate rabies include bats that:

--Are active during the day
--Are found in unusual places (inside a home or on the ground)
--Are unable to fly or you can easily approach
--Have made contact with you as they usually avoid humans

It's important to prevent bats from getting into your home. Bats can fit through tiny openings as small as ¼ inch. An animal control or wildlife conservation agency can "batproof" your home. You can also take steps to batproof on your own.

--Check for any openings that bats could use to get inside.
--Caulk any openings larger than a dime.
--Use screens, chimney caps, and draft guards to seal attic doors.
--Fill electrical and plumbing holes with steel wool or caulk.
--Ensure all doors to the outside close tightly.

More information on preventing Bat exposure can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html

08/26/2026

08/18/2026

Prevent 🦟 bites as we head into the late days of summer!

08/04/2026

Free Narcan and Opioid Overdose Prevention Training!
This Thursday August 6th, 2026 at 12:00pm at the Valley Shore YMCA (201 Spencer Plains Rd, Westbrook, CT 06498)

Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to signs of an overdose, and will receive a free Narcan kit and lunch!

Register here: https://www.wyfs.org/narcan-training

07/29/2026

Free Narcan Training!
Thursday August 6th, 2026 at Noon
At the Valley Shore YMCA

Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to signs of an overdose, and will receive a Narcan kit and lunch.

Register here: https://www.wyfs.org/narcan-training

Town of Westbrook Ct
Westbrook Emergency Management
Westbrook Youth and Family Services, Inc.
Connecticut Department of Public Health
APW CT

07/28/2026

As more mosquitoes are testing positive for West Nile Virus across the State of Connecticut, it's important to take steps to avoid mosquito bites this Summer. 🦟

--Minimize time spent outdoors at Dusk and Dawn.
--Cover bare skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
--Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of these active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Always follow label instructions.
--Apply permethrin (an insecticide) to clothing, but do not use permethrin directly on skin.
--Use screens in windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings.
--Remove any standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
--Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and cover pools when not in use.
--Use larvicides to treat large containers of standing water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.

By following the steps mentioned above, Westbrook residents can significantly reduce the potential for mosquito bites.

Additional information on preventing mosquito bites and West Nile Virus can be viewed on the State of Connecticut website: www.portal.ct.gov/mosquito the CDC website: www.CDC.gov/Mosquitoes

07/20/2026

Moderate Air Quality forecasted today, July 20th, 2026

If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

Stay updated to the latest, daily Air Quality Index here: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Air/Forecasting/AQI/Air-Quality-Index

Town of Westbrook Ct
Westbrook Emergency Management
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

07/16/2026

Another Unhealthy Air Quality day ahead of us, Westbrook. 💨

What You Should Do
If you are in a sensitive group, which includes young children, the elderly or anyone who has pre-existing health concerns such as asthma, heart or lung problems, then you should:

--Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and take more breaks.
--Watch for symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath and follow your health care provider’s action plan.

For everyone else:
--Limit time outdoors, especially in the afternoon and evening
--Move workouts and activities indoors or reschedule
--Take frequent breaks if you must be outside

If You Feel Symptoms:
Stop activity and go indoors right away if you experience Coughing, Shortness of breath, Chest tightness, Eye or throat irritation. Seek medical care if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

Reduce Your Exposure
--Keep windows and doors closed
--Run air conditioning on recirculate
--Use a HEPA air purifier if available
--Avoid adding indoor pollution (e.g., burning candles, smoking, vacuuming without HEPA filters)

Town of Westbrook Ct
Westbrook Emergency Management
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

07/15/2026

The current Air Quality Index for the Westbrook area is designated as "Moderate to Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups" due to increasing levels of Fine Particles (PM2.5) in the air from Canadian wildfires.

The "Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups" designation provides the following recommendation, which should be considered for outdoor programs for the rest of the day, Wednesday July 15th 2026:

People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

For full information on the Air Quality Index, visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Air/Forecasting/AQI/Air-Quality-Index

Town of Westbrook Ct
Westbrook Emergency Management
Connecticut Department of Public Health