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 21, 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 21, 2001
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Mosquitoes: One pool (sample) of mosquitoes trapped in Westerly on September 10 has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The pool of Culesita mosquitoes, which bite birds but not humans, was collected from a trap on Pound Road. This is the fourth pool of mosquitoes from Westerly that have tested positive for EEE this season.
Mosquito-borne disease has been found throughout Rhode Island and residents throughout the state should continue to take personal protection measures. However, there is clearly a local population of viral disease present in the Westerly area, and residents of that community 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. The weather is becoming cooler, and mosquito biting activity will correspondingly slow down.
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| ACTION |
Extra mosquito trapping will be done in response to the EEE-positive mosquitoes and routine weekly testing for West Nile Virus and EEE statewide will continue.
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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. 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 four mosquito pools from one community have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Ninety-four 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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