DEM: AUGUST 31 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:	August 31, 2005
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: AUGUST 31 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE

Due to Rain, New Crop of Mosquitoes Hatching, Will Be Biting in About Ten Days

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 92 mosquito pools from a total of 25 traps set statewide during the week of August 15 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Results from three additional pools are pending.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, says, "Because of this week's heavy rains, mosquito eggs that have been lying dormant will be hatching. Consequently, in about 10 days, the new and expectedly large crop of mosquitoes will be looking for their first blood meal. There will then be a great deal of biting activity, and people should protect themselves accordingly."

West Nile Virus is well-established throughout the state and, indeed, throughout the country. Therefore, throughout the mosquito season, residents are encouraged to protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and avoiding mosquito bites. 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.

Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds from yards by removing anything that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk and debris, and clean gutters so that they drain properly. Avoid mosquito bites by using screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk, and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. Also, use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Do not use repellent on infants.

This year, to date, no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis and no birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Residents are encouraged to call DEM's dead bird surveillance hotline - 788-3698 - to report crows, bluejays, raptors, or robins that appear to have recently died and that show no signs of external injury.

Although only a few samples of birds that meet these criteria will be retrieved for testing, DEM will map the locations of all birds reported in order to identify areas where additional mosquito trapping and testing might be needed, as dead crows and bluejays can serve as an early indicator of West Nile Virus and recent studies indicate that robins may also host the virus.

Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. Test results from last week's trapping will be reported by DEM on or by Wednesday of next week.

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".

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