For Release: October 8, 1999

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that the virus found in a sample of two mosquitoes trapped on Block Island September 20, is Flanders, a bird disease that does not affect humans. The virus is seen throughout much of the United States and Canada. The mosquitoes had been sent for further testing to a laboratory in Galveston, Texas, after the University of Rhode Island laboratory found that they tested positive for an unknown virus.

In addition, all mosquitoes trapped in Rhode Island September 27, including those from additional traps placed in urban areas, have tested negative for any virus. Preliminary tests on mosquitoes from six extra traps set on Block Island have also been negative.

DEM officials had doubted that the unknown virus in the pool of two mosquitoes was the West Nile-like virus that has shown up in New York and western Connecticut, but could not conclusively eliminate it without the additional testing. Trapping data from central and eastern Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have not revealed the presence of the West Nile-like virus that has shown up in New York and western Connecticut. Also, mosquitoes from New York and western Connecticut do not travel as far as Rhode Island, and birds that can carry the virus are flying south, not east, at this time of year.

DEM will continue to trap and test mosquitoes until the first killing frost, which generally occurs at the end of October Although there have been light frost conditions over the past two days, and mosquito numbers and biting activity are falling, mosquitoes will be present until a deep frost causes significant plant damage. Until then, DEM recommends that the public continue to take normal precautions.

They include:

• Personal protection such as using mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing, particularly at dawn and dusk when most biting occurs. Repellents containing more than 30 percent DEET are unnecessary. Never use repellents on infants, and avoid getting repellents in children's eyes.

• Eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. Empty and remove old tires, buckets and other debris that hold water. Keep roof gutters clean and free of anything that keeps them from draining. Repair window and door screens.

DEM began its weekly mosquito trapping and testing program on June 1. Over 17,000 mosquitoes have been tested to date, from traps set at sites statewide, with a greater number in the South County and East Bay areas.

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