For Release: August 14, 1997

Contact: Alan Gettman, Ph.D. 277-6151

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - According to the RI Department of Environmental Management, there have been no findings of mosquitoes carrying the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in Rhode Island this season, but findings of another virus indicate that precautions are in order.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordinator, said that the Highlands J virus, which does not affect humans, has been found in one sample of bird-biting mosquitoes picked up through the State's mosquito trapping and testing program and an additional trap is being placed in the area.

The Highlands J sample was found in mosquitoes trapped August 4 on Pound Road in Westerly, in Chapman Swamp which was the site last year of several EEE isolations in mosquitoes. The Swamp at that time was artificially impounded by Pound Road, causing a high number of mosquitoes. Since then, new culverts under Pound Road have been constructed, bringing down the number of mosquitoes to a natural number. Mosquito numbers are also down from last year, Gettman said, because the weather has been so dry.

"The finding, which we received from Yale yesterday," he said, "is not the least bit surprising. We detect this virus almost every year." The Highlands J virus, he said, is used as an indicator of the possibility of EEE. "Highlands J does not produce disease in humans, nor does it guarantee the presence of EEE," Gettman said. "When we find mosquitoes carrying the Highlands J virus, we consider it an indication that environmental conditions are right for the EEE virus to multiply. It simply suggests that the level of risk may be higher."

Putting it into perspective, Gettman said that Highlands J has been found in 9 of the past 10 years; EEE has been found in bird-biting mosquitoes in 7 of the past 10 years; and EEE has been found in human-biting mosquitoes in 3 of the past 10 years. "Although we haven't found it yet," Gettman said, "chances are we'll pick up EEE in bird biting mosquitoes a time or two in our testing, and that it will represent a normal background level. It is important that people understand that.

"People should take normal precautions against mosquitoes all summer," Gettman added, "regardless of our findings." Those precautions include ensuring screens are in good repair, reducing unnecessary outdoor activity at dawn and dusk; wearing protective clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts; and applying products containing the mosquito repellent DEET to clothing. Formulations that contain more than 20 percent DEET are unnecessary and may enhance skin reactions on some people. Repellents should not be used on infants, and children should be cautioned to avoid getting repellents in their eyes. Residents should also keep their back yards free of water-holding containers which create areas where mosquitoes can be produced.

The mosquito abatement program has information on a website: www.uri.edu/research/eee There is also a DEM webpage with rabies contacts information.