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: |
September 5, 2001 |
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Contact: |
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418; pager 482-2968
Malcolm Grant 222-6605
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2001 West Nile/EEE Status Update
September 5, 2001
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Mosquitoes: Test results from 114 mosquito pools (samples) from 45 traps set statewide between August 15 and August 20 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This includes mosquitoes from traps set in response to earlier West Nile Virus positive findings in Foster, Glocester, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Jamestown, Middletown, Tiverton and Little Compton.
Birds: Seventeen new birds, primarily crows, from eight communities collected between August 15 and August 29 have tested positive for West Nile Virus. They include six birds from Westerly, three from Charlestown, two each from North Kingstown and South Kingstown, and one each from Bristol, Pawtucket, Tiverton and Portsmouth. The jump in numbers is not unexpected, and has also been the experience in other states such as Connecticut and Massachusetts.
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| ACTION |
Extra mosquito traps will be set in response to the West Nile Virus-positive birds and routine weekly testing for West Nile Virus and EEE statewide will continue.
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, 14 mosquito pools from nine communities have tested positive or suspect positive for West Nile Virus. Twenty-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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