For Release: September 11, 1998

Contact: Bob Ballou 741-1872

Mal Grant 539-7974

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announced this afternoon that it has identified the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in a bird-biting mosquito species trapped at URI's Peckham Farm in Kingston on Monday, September 7. The results were reported to DEM by a Massachusetts testing lab at 3:30 pm today.

The positive result came from a pool of fifty inspects of the species Culiseta, which does not feed on humans or other mammals.

According to Dr. Alan Gettman, DEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordinator: "EEE in Culiseta represents no direct threat to human health. In fact, we typically see isolated cases in bird-biting species every year at about this time, that is, late in the mosquito-breeding season."

DEM began trapping and testing mosquitoes at eighteen trap sites in mid-June and, since then, has been routinely testing on a weekly basis at twenty-two sites statewide. Testing will continue through October. Prior to today, none of these sites - nor any other in nearby Connecticut or Massachusetts - has yielded positive results for EEE.

DEM Director Andy McLeod emphasized that while the absence of EEE in human-biting mosquitoes to date is "good news for Rhode Islanders," people should continue to take common sense precautions to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. "It is important not to overreact to today's news," said McLeod. "But it is always a good idea to take routine steps to avoid mosquito bites, and to make sure your children do as well," he added.

Common sense precautions include ensuring that screens are in good repair; reducing unnecessary outdoor activity at dusk and dawn; 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 30 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 years free of water-holding containers that create areas where mosquitoes can breed.

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