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 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
STATE GEARS UP FOR MOSQUITO SEASON, REMINDS RESIDENTS TO ELIMINATE MOSQUITO BREEDING GROUNDS AROUND THEIR HOMES PROVIDENCE - As mosquito season approaches, and with West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) so firmly established throughout the state, the Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health (HEALTH) are again promoting public awareness about the importance of personal protection - the first line of defense against mosquito-borne diseases. Under the state's mosquito protocol, personal protection and larvicide application remain as the cornerstones of Rhode Island's response protocol to West Nile Virus and EEE.Preparing for Mosquito Season All Rhode Islanders should, as part of their normal seasonal routine, protect themselves from exposure to West Nile Virus and EEE by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. At this time of year, residents are urged to get rid of anything in their yards that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk, and debris, and to make sure their gutters are clean so that they drain properly. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Just one cup of standing water can produce thousands of mosquitoes. State Protocol Unchanged This year's mosquito response protocol is not substantially changed from that of the past four years. Aerial or ground spraying will be recommended only when a team of mosquito-control experts determines that the public is at substantial risk of contact by infected mosquitoes. It is hoped that, through personal protection measures, comprehensive larvicide treatment, and elimination of mosquito habitat in populated areas of the state, mosquito growth and human exposure to West Nile Virus and EEE can be mitigated. DEM has begun to purchase and expects to distribute to municipalities the larvicide Altosid for treating all public area catch basins at the beginning of June. Plans are in process to procure additional Altosid for application later in the summer, as well as Bti "biscuits" and granules for treating roadside ditches, retention basins, and other prime mosquito breeding areas. DEM will hold a mosquito control training session on May 20 at East Farm at the University of Rhode Island for municipal and state workers who will be applying the larvicides. DEM will trap mosquitoes on a weekly basis throughout the state beginning at the end of May. The mosquitoes will be tested at the HEALTH laboratory, and DEM will provide, at minimum, weekly updates on test results to the media, with additional reports as necessary. Positive results will generally trigger additional trapping to assess risk. Since West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are both firmly established throughout the state, DEM has cut back on its bird surveillance, with selective sampling of dead crows and bluejays as a possible early warning of, but not definitive confirmation of, viral activity. Tips for Horse Owners Because horses are susceptible to West Nile Virus and EEE, Rhode Island horse owners should vaccinate their horses early in the season and take measures to control and prevent mosquito exposure. Dr. Christopher Hannafin, the state veterinarian, recommends that all horse owners: remove or cover all areas where standing water can collect; apply mosquito larvicide in appropriate locations; and avoid turning animals outside at dawn, dusk and during the night when mosquitoes are most active. Horse owners should insect-proof facilities where possible; use approved repellants frequently; monitor animals for symptoms of fever, incoordination, stumbling and neurological signs; and report all suspicious cases to a veterinarian immediately. 2004 Rhode Island Roundup The EEE threat was relatively high in Rhode Island in 2004 due to the high number of EEE isolations in southern New England and two deaths from the disease in Massachusetts. While there were no human cases of EEE reported in Rhode Island in 2004, one horse contracted EEE, and EEE was found in seven mosquito pools: three in South Kingstown, two in North Kingstown, one in East Greenwich, and one in Charlestown. Out of nearly 60 birds tested, three tested positive for EEE, and five tested positive for West Nile Virus. Although Rhode Island saw its first human fatality from West Nile Virus in 2003 and six other Rhode Islanders were diagnosed with the virus that year, no human cases were reported in Rhode Island in 2004. The Viruses EEE, a cyclical virus, while not nearly as common as West Nile Virus, has a higher fatality rate. It is a viral disease contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In most years, the virus is limited to native bird populations and bird-biting mosquitoes, but occasionally the virus can be transmitted to humans and domestic animals. EEE virus affects the brain with symptoms that appear 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include high fever, headache, stiff neck and decreased consciousness. Up to 50 percent of cases may result in fatality. Individuals with symptoms suggestive of EEE should contact their physician immediately. West Nile Virus is also a mosquito-transmitted, viral disease that causes encephalitis. However, mortality rates are much lower than those of EEE. Most people bitten by WNV-infected mosquitoes do not get sick. However, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more prone to infections. Symptoms begin 3-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, rash, stiff neck, muscle weakness, and disorientation. Of cases with serious symptoms, up to 15 percent may result in fatality. West Nile Virus made its first appearance in the Western hemisphere, in the New York City area in 1999, and has since spread throughout the country. Last year West Nile Virus was reported in 47 states, with 2,470 human cases of the disease and 88 deaths. For online information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to DEM's website, www.state.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". -30- |
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