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DEM's WNV/EEE Page

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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 9, 2009
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM: OCTOBER 9 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
EEE-Positive Horse Death Confirmed in Exeter

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from the remaining 39 mosquito pools, or samples, from 25 traps set during the week of September 28 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE.) As was previously reported, one mosquito pool from a trap set in the Capitol Hill area of Providence has tested positive for EEE.

DEM received confirmation this morning from the RI Department of Health Laboratory that a horse from Exeter has tested positive for EEE. DEM's Division of Agriculture was notified last weekend that the horse had been displaying neurological symptoms of EEE for five days. The animal was euthanized Sunday, and on Monday, DEM's state veterinarian, Scott Marshall, DVM submitted samples to the HEALTH Laboratory for analysis. The specimen tested negative for rabies. The five month-old miniature horse had not been vaccinated against EEE.

The most common signs of viral encephalitis in horses are depression, stumbling, in-coordination, hind limb weakness, partial paralysis and muscle twitching. Fever can occur but is not present in all cases. These symptoms can occur in many equine diseases and should be reported to a veterinarian as soon as they are noticed so that a quick and accurate diagnosis can be made.

Late summer and early fall are considered high-risk seasons for the transmission of both EEE and West Nile Virus to horses by infected mosquitoes. Dr. Marshall has issued several recommendations to horse owners to help protect their animals from getting bitten by mosquitoes. He advises horse owners to use repellents on their animals; consider stabling their horses indoors at dawn and dusk, which are considered heavy mosquito feeding times; remove free standing water from stable areas; and consult with their veterinarian to determine whether their horses are properly immunized, as vaccination is safe and effective in the prevention of EEE in horses. A vaccination for horses is also available for West Nile Virus.

Horse barns are environments where mosquitoes can reproduce in large numbers. Horse owners are advised to protect themselves by using appropriate repellants and wearing protective clothing. They should also inspect barns for mosquito breeding areas and take measures to eliminate collected or stagnant water such as feed troughs and water basins. Horses should not be turned out to pasture and paddock during dawn, dusk and at night as these are times when mosquitoes are usually the most active.

Horse owners who would like more information should contact their veterinarian, or may call the state veterinarian, Scott Marshall, DVM, at DEM's Division of Agriculture at 222-2781 ext. 4503.

Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and EEE and is by far the most effective way of avoiding infection. Avoid mosquito bites by using screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk, and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. Also, use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Do not use repellent on infants.

Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. DEM will normally report mosquito test results once a week on a routine basis, with additional reports as necessary. Test results from mosquitoes trapped this week will be included in next week's announcement.

This year, to date in Rhode Island, three mosquito pools have tested positive for EEE, and three mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus. EEE has been found in mosquito samples in New England states, including neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut. To date, more than 72 isolations of EEE have been found in over 20 communities in Connecticut.

For online information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to DEM's website, www.state.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Public Health Updates", or go to the HEALTH website, www.health.ri.gov, and click on "E" (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) or "W" ((West Nile Virus)) under "Health Topics".

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