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DEM's WNV/EEE Page
  
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 28, 2003
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES ANOTHER EEE-POSITIVE POOL OF MOSQUITOES
Few Mosquitoes Left, but Rate of Infection is High; Rhode Islanders Should Still Take Care on Unusually Warm Days

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that one more pool (sample) of mosquitoes has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), bringing the total number of EEE-positive mosquito pools statewide to 17.

The new EEE-positive isolation was from mosquitoes trapped near East Matunuck Beach in South Kingstown on October 20.

DEM will set out mosquito traps throughout the state tonight. It marks the last night of mosquito trapping for the season.

Last week's significant frosts killed many mosquitoes, and there are negligible numbers left. However, the few remaining mosquitoes have the highest percent of infection of the summer, so on unusually warm days, particularly when in the woods or when temperatures are expected to remain above 50 degrees at dusk, residents and visitors statewide should take precautions against being bitten.

To date, in Rhode Island, 17 mosquito pools in five communities have tested positive for EEE and five horses and several birds have died of the disease. EEE, historically found in the southern and southeastern parts of the state, has also been found in other areas, and is now presumed likely in all areas of Rhode Island. This year has proven to be a higher than average risk year for EEE in Rhode Island and neighboring states. There have been a number of isolations of EEE in Connecticut this year, including many along the Rhode Island border, as well as in Massachusetts.

Also in Rhode Island, seven mosquito pools in seven communities have tested positive for West Nile Virus, five human cases of the disease have been reported, and DEM has tallied more than 600 West Nile-suspect birds from throughout the state.

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