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 29, 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 29, 2001
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Mosquitoes: West Nile Virus has been confirmed positive or suspect positive in three mosquito pools (samples) of bird-biting or predominantly bird-biting mosquitoes.
Two mosquito pools, containing one mosquito each, collected from traps set on August 6 in Pawtucket and Lincoln, were sent to the Massachusetts state lab for final confirmation. Species and locations are:
Culex species, a type that prefers birds but will bite mammals, collected from Breakneck Hill Road in Lincoln
Orthopodomyia signifera, a bird-biter, collected at Daggett Field in Pawtucket
One pool of Culiseta mosquitoes, a bird-biting species that does not bite mammals, collected from a trap set near the tourist center in Westerly on August 14, tested positive for West Nile Virus. The rest of the 53 mosquito pools from 23 traps set out on August 14 in normal weekly trapping are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
All mosquito pools (samples) from extra traps set out on August 8 and 9 in response to West Nile positive birds in Portsmouth, North Kingstown and Coventry are negative for West Nile Virus.
Test results from mosquitoes trapped after August 14, including those trapped in response to positive or suspect positive West Nile findings in Portsmouth, North Smithfield, Jamestown, Middletown, Tiverton, Little Compton and Smithfield are pending.
Birds: Not unexpectedly, three new birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus. They are: a sparrow collected from Commercial Way in East Providence on August 18, a crow collected from Pickering Drive in Westerly on August 21 and a blue jay collected from Robin Way in Westerly on August 22.
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| ACTION |
DEM is setting extra traps in Pawtucket, Lincoln, Westerly and East Providence in the vicinity of the positive and suspect positive mosquitoes and birds.
West Nile Virus has been found in scattered locations throughout the state, and it is a statewide issue. Residents should redouble efforts to protect themselves from exposure to West Nile Virus by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
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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, 13 mosquito pools from nine communities have tested positive or suspect positive for West Nile Virus. Eleven 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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