           Home > News > News Item |
||||||
 Mosquito Response Protocol DOH's WNV Page DOH's EEE Page |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM ANNOUNCES THAT SOUTH KINGSTOWN MOSQUITO SAMPLE TESTS POSITIVE FOR EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that a mosquito pool, or sample, from South Kingstown has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).The EEE-positive mosquito came from a pool of 16 mosquitoes that were trapped on August 23 by DEM staff at the University of Rhode Island's Peckham Farm in the Kingston area of South Kingstown, and tested at the RI Department of Health laboratory. Although many mosquito species bite only birds, the mosquito that tested positive for EEE, a species of Culex, can also bite mammals, including humans. Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, said that in response to the positive test result, the Department will continue additional surveillance in the area, set extra mosquito traps, and confer with local officials. "This positive finding," Gettman said, "should send a strong reminder to all Rhode Islanders that it is important to routinely protect themselves against mosquito bites now and throughout the rest of the mosquito season, which typically lasts through mid-October." People should routinely use mosquito repellent 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 one mosquito pool in South Kingstown, 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 this Wednesday. -30- |
|||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer