DEM: SEPTEMBER 1 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:	September 1, 2004
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: SEPTEMBER 1 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
Peak Season and More Mosquitoes Increase Possibility of Disease Transmission

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 144 mosquito pools from a total off 51 traps set statewide on August 12 and August 16 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. An additional pool of mosquitoes trapped on August 16 was reported on August 25 as positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. (Additionally, a mosquito pool trapped on August 23 was reported yesterday as positive for EEE.)

"We are entering the peak season for mosquito-borne disease transmission," said Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator. "The several positive EEE findings in Rhode Island over the past month, as well as in nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut communities, while not unexpected, should send a clear message to all Rhode Islanders that it remains important for them to routinely protect themselves against mosquito bites until the first hard frost."

"Heavy rains during the first half of August hatched eggs, producing a new crop of mosquitoes that we are experiencing now," Gettman added. "That increases the possibility of disease transmission."

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

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.

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".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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