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 14, 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
Friday, September 14, 2001
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Mosquitoes: One pool (sample) of mosquitoes trapped in Westerly on September 4 has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The large pool of Culesita mosquitoes, which bite birds but not humans, was collected from a trap near the tourist information center on Route 1. Last week it was reported that two pools of mosquitoes collected from that trap on August 27 tested positive for EEE.
One pool of mosquitoes trapped on September 4 on Nannaquacket Road in Tiverton has tested positive for Highlands J virus. Highlands J virus, while not affecting humans, is an indication that mosquito-borne diseases such as EEE and West Nile Virus are likely present in the area. The Highlands J-positive mosquitoes were collected from the same trap where mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus, as previously reported, were collected on August 6.
"Mosquito-borne disease has been found throughout the region and residents throughout the state should continue to take personal protection measures," said Malcolm Grant, DEM Associate Director for Natural Resources. "However, there is clearly a local population of viral disease present in the areas of the Tiverton and Westerly traps, and residents of those areas are urged to be particularly vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
"Findings of West Nile Virus and EEE in mosquitoes and birds should be peaking within the next couple of weeks," Grant continued. "Fortunately, the weather is becoming cooler, and mosquito biting activity will correspondingly slow down."
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| ACTION |
Extra mosquito traps will be set in the Tiverton and Westerly areas 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 EEE and West Nile Virus 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 three mosquito pools from one community have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Fifty 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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