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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM: AUGUST 18 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 162 mosquito pools from a total of 40 traps set statewide on July 29 and August 2 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. An additional pool from the July 29 trap date was reported previously as positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.West Nile Virus is well established throughout the state and, indeed, throughout the country, and EEE is present in the environment. Therefore, throughout the mosquito season, residents should protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and avoiding mosquito bites. 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. Biting Activity Up According to Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, Rhode Islanders will notice increased biting activity beginning this week, because mosquito numbers are up. "It has been a mighty wet August," Gettman said. "The recent rains, beginning early in the month, have contributed to a higher number of mosquitoes hatched." Rhode Islanders should eliminate mosquito breeding grounds from yards by removing anything that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk and debris, and clean gutters so that they drain properly. 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. Bird Calls Down DEM has received far fewer reports of dead birds this year than in previous years. Residents are encouraged to call DEM's dead bird surveillance hotline - 788-3698 - to report crows or bluejays that appear to have recently died and that show no signs of external injury. Although only a few samples of birds that meet these criteria will be retrieved for testing, DEM will map the locations of all birds reported in order to identify areas where additional mosquito trapping and testing might be needed, as dead crows and bluejays can serve as an early indicator of West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. DEM will normally report mosquito test results once a week on a routine basis, with additional reports as necessary. Test results from last week's trapping and any routine pending results will be reported by DEM next Wednesday. Year to Date This year, to date, in Rhode Island, EEE has been found in North Kingstown in two mosquito pools. No mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus and no birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus. For online information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Public Health" under "Topics", or go to the HEALTH website, www.health.ri.gov, and click on "W" under "Health Topics". -30- |
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