For Release: September 15, 1997

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

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - According to the RI Department of Environmental Management, test results received this afternoon from Yale University show no Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in mosquito samples collected last week. They do show the presence of the Highlands J virus, indicating that precautions are still in order.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordinator, said that the Highlands J virus, which does not affect humans, was found in five samples of mosquitoes picked up during the State's mosquito trapping and testing program. The mosquitoes were among 80 mosquito pools collected statewide from 36 traps September 8 and 9.

The most recent Highlands J samples were found in three mosquito isolations from a trap near the Westerly Tourist Information Center on Route 1 where last week an EEE isolation was found, as well from a trap on Nannaquaket Pond Road in Tiverton and from a trap on Beaver River Road in Richmond.

"It is particularly encouraging that tests of mosquito pools taken from Westerly traps has not indicated the presence of EEE, particularly since we set five additional traps in residential neighborhoods in town in response to last week's positive EEE report," Gettman said.

He said a number of things are keeping EEE at a minimal level including a substantially reduced mosquito population because of the dry summer and actions the Town of Westerly took to reduce the mosquito population in Chapman's Swamp, central to last year's EEE outbreak. "We're close to cooler, drier evenings, which also reduces the biting activity of mosquitoes," Gettman said, "but people should continue to take normal precautions against mosquitoes until the first hard frost 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 backyards free of water-holding containers which create areas where mosquitoes can be produced.

The Highlands J virus, Gettman said, is used as an indicator of the possibility of EEE, but "Highlands J does not produce disease in humans, nor does it guarantee the presence of EEE. It simply indicates that environmental conditions are right for the EEE virus to multiply and 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've only found it once this year," Gettman said, "there is a good chance that we'll pick up EEE in bird biting mosquitoes again in our testing, and that it will represent a normal background level. It is important that people understand that."

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