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 6, 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
Thursday, September 6, 2001
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Mosquitoes: Two pools (samples) of mosquitoes trapped in Westerly on August 27 have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. A large pool of Culex species mosquitoes, which prefer birds but will bite humans, was collected from the tourist information center site. A large pool of Culesita mosquitoes, which bite birds but not humans, was collected in the area of Sherwood Drive.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a very rare but serious and sometimes fatal viral disease contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In most years, EEE is limited to native bird populations and bird-biting mosquitoes, but rarely the virus can be transmitted to humans and domestic animals. EEE-infected mosquitoes have already been found this year in nearby Stonington and North Stonington, CT.
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| ACTION |
Extra mosquito traps will be set in the Westerly area in response to the findings.
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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 and two mosquito pools from one community have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Twenty-eight birds have also tested positive for West Nile Virus. |
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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