DEM: AUGUST 25 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE

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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	August 25, 2004
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: AUGUST 25 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE

EEE Found in East Greenwich Pool of Mammal-Biting Mosquitoes

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that a mosquito pool, or sample, from East Greenwich has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). In other new test results, 131 mosquito pools from a total of 43 traps set statewide between August 4 and August 10 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

The EEE-positive mosquito pool in East Greenwich came from mosquitoes that were trapped on August 16 near Route 2 north of Frenchtown Road and tested at the RI Department of Health laboratory. Although many mosquito species bite only birds, the species that tested positive for EEE, an Aedes species, also bites mammals, including humans.

The trap site is about a mile from the two previously-reported EEE-positive pools of mosquitoes trapped in a more rural area off Frenchtown Road, near the North Kingstown - East Greenwich border, and within two miles of a previously reported EEE-positive bluejay.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, said that in response to the several positive findings in that locale over the past month the Department will continue additional surveillance in the area, again set extra mosquito traps, and confer with local officials. "The positive test results," Gettman said, "coupled with the fact that August through mid-October is the peak season for mosquito transmission, means that residents should be extra careful in protecting themselves.

"People should routinely use mosquito repellent," Gettman added, "and cover up when mosquito biting activity is greatest, particularly from dusk to dawn. They should place mosquito netting over playpens and carriages outside, and be sure that screens are in good repair." Mosquito repellent should contain no more than 30 percent DEET, and it should not be used on infants.

West Nile Virus is well established throughout the state and, indeed, throughout the country, and EEE is present in the environment. Residents statewide 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.

This year, to date in Rhode Island, EEE has been found in two mosquito pools in North Kingstown and one in East Greenwich. No mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus. One bird has tested positive for EEE and one has 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".

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.

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