DEM: OCTOBER 6 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:	October 6, 2004
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: OCTOBER 6 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
Officials Warn that Although Scattered Frost Has Killed Some Mosquitoes, There are Still Infected Mosquitoes in the Environment

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 189 mosquito pools from a total of 51 traps set statewide between September 15 and September 22 are all negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The 32 pending test results from last week's report also have been confirmed negative.

An additional mosquito pool from a trap in Charlestown set on September 22 was previously reported as positive for EEE. Results from 14 additional mosquito pools from the September 22 trap date are pending.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's Mosquito Abatement Coordinator notes that Tuesday night's scattered frost in some parts of Rhode Island would have killed some mosquitoes. "Mosquito numbers are clearly down," Gettman says, "as is mosquito-biting activity. However, there are still infected mosquitoes in the environment and biting activity will increase on warm days, such as those predicted for this Columbus holiday weekend."

Biting activity depends on several conditions. It is generally greatest at dusk and 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 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 continue to 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.

This year, to date in Rhode Island, one horse has contracted EEE. EEE has been found in two mosquito pools in South Kingstown, two mosquito pools in North Kingstown, one in East Greenwich, and one in Charlestown. Three birds, all bluejays, have tested positive for EEE, and five birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the 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.

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".

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