DEM: SEPTEMBER 15 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 15, 2004
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: SEPTEMBER 15 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
Bluejay Collected From Charlestown Tests Positive for EEE

PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 143 mosquito pools from a total of 56 traps set statewide between August 25 and 30 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Eighty-six additional pools from August 30 are pending. Twenty pools from traps set statewide from August 23 have been confirmed negative for West Nile Virus and EEE. However, a bluejay, collected from Charlestown on September 7 near the intersection of Route 2 and Route 1, has tested positive for EEE.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordinator reminds Rhode Islanders that "we are now clearly at a higher than normal risk for EEE," noting the increasing numbers of mosquito pools, or samples, testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This year, to date in Rhode Island, EEE has been found in two mosquito pools in South Kingstown, two mosquito pools in North Kingstown, and one in East Greenwich. Two birds, both bluejays, have tested positive for EEE, and a crow has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Because of the heightened health risk, DEM and HEALTH caution that all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito biting activity is high. Biting activity depends on several conditions. It generally is greatest from dusk to dawn. During the day it decreases in sunny areas at lower temperatures and increases in shady areas at higher temperatures. Biting activity also generally increases with high humidity and low wind.

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. 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.

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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