For Release: October 16, 1998

Contact: Alan Gettman, Ph.D. 222-6151

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management received preliminary mosquito testing results this afternoon indicating the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in three pools of bird-biting mosquitoes trapped October 8 and 13, but none in mammal-biting mosquitoes. Final test results, which are expected to confirm the preliminary findings, will be received tomorrow.

EEE in mammal-biting mosquitoes has not been found in Rhode Island this year in mosquitoes trapped through DEM's mosquito abatement program. However, for the past six weeks, the presence of EEE has been detected in bird-biting mosquitoes trapped in South County.

Today's preliminary results were from mosquitoes caught in one trap in Burlingame State Park in Charlestown, and two traps in Westerly across the river from where EEE was found in one pool of mammal-biting mosquitoes trapped September 29 on Barn Island in Stonington, Connecticut. (Connecticut officials reported Wednesday that mosquitoes trapped October 5 on Barn Island tested negative.)

The positive EEE results in Rhode Island came from the species Culiseta, which does not feed on humans or other mammals and therefore represents no direct threat to human health, according to Dr. Alan Gettman, DEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordinator. "We typically see isolated cases in bird-biting species most years at about this time," Gettman said.

Gettman noted that the weather is expected to be unseasonably warm this weekend, and that mosquitoes will be out and biting in greater numbers than recently seen. "The cool weather of the past two weeks has been keeping them inactive," Gettman said. "We have seen fewer mosquitoes in our traps, due more to the cool evenings rather than a dramatic decrease in the mosquito population. I would expect a noticeable increase in biting activity this warm weekend, and people should continue to take common sense precautions."

Those 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.