DEM's WNV/EEE Page
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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
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For Release: |
August 22, 2001 |
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Contact: |
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418; pager 482-2968
Ken Ayars 222-4700, ext.4500
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2001 West Nile/EEE Status Update
August 22, 2001
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Mosquitoes: 70 mosquito pools (samples) from 28 traps set on August 6 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. DEM reported on August 17 that six mosquito pools (samples) from five traps also set on August 6 in Little Compton, Tiverton, Middletown, Jamestown and Smithfield were suspect positive for West Nile Virus. In order to confirm its results, HEALTH brought samples from these six mosquito pools to the Massachusetts state lab for a series of independent tests. Initial results from the Massachusetts lab confirm positive results. Test results from all mosquitoes trapped from August 8 through August 20th are pending.
Birds: Test results from nine birds collected last week are pending.
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| ACTION |
Continue routine testing of mosquitoes and birds. Since West Nile Virus has been found in Rhode Island, residents should continue to take personal protection steps, such as avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds on their property.
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| PERSONAL PROTECTION |
Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and EEE and is by far the most effective way of avoiding infection.
Avoid mosquito bites by using screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk, and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. Also, use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Do not use repellent on infants.
Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by removing anything in yards that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk and debris, and clean gutters so that they drain properly.
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| PROTOCOL |
This year's mosquito response protocol is based on lessons learned last year and new findings issued by the Centers for Disease Control. Based on a growing recognition that infected birds appear to be poor indicators of disease risk to humans, spraying this year will be recommended only when a team of mosquito-control experts determines that the public is at substantial risk of being bitten by infected mosquitoes. |
| YEAR TO DATE |
To date, ten mosquito pools from seven communities have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Eight birds have also tested positive for West Nile Virus. |
DEM expects that birds infected with West Nile Virus will be found throughout the mosquito season. While infected birds appear to be poor indicators of disease risk to humans, their sensitivity to West Nile Virus may be useful in tracking the spread of the disease in the environment. Wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, animal control officers and others are being asked to report suspect target species - crows, bluejays and hawks - to DEM's bird hotline at 788-3698. Target species that are sick with neurological symptoms such as staggering or tilted head, or those that have been dead less than 48 hours and have no obvious signs of injury will be considered for testing.
For information on protection measures, call DEM's recorded Mosquito Information Line at 222-2793 or HEALTH's Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434, or visit www.healthri.org and/or www.dem.ri.gov on line.
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