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DEM's WNV/EEE Page

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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 22, 2004
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM: SEPTEMBER 22 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
Three Birds Test Positive for West Nile Virus

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management today announced three new isolations of West Nile Virus in birds collected from three communities. The findings are not unexpected at this late date in the mosquito season.

The birds include a blue jay, collected on September 14 from the Kent Heights section of East Providence; a grackle, also collected on September 14 from the Lymansville area of North Providence; and a blue jay collected in western Cranston near the West Warwick border on September 16. Under the state's mosquito protocol, additional mosquito traps will be set in the three communities.

DEM also announced that test results from 177 mosquito pools from a total of 57 traps set statewide between September 2 and 7 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Seventy-one additional pools from September 7 are pending. Eighty-six pools from traps set statewide on August 30 have been confirmed negative for West Nile Virus and EEE.

Although biting activity this week has decreased due to cooler weather, there are still infected mosquitoes in the environment. DEM and HEALTH caution that all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito-biting activity is high. Biting activity will increase on warm days. Biting activity depends on several conditions. It is generally greatest at dawn and dusk. 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 with 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".

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 four birds have tested positive for 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.

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