DEM: OCTOBER 5 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 5, 2005
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: OCTOBER 5 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
WNV Found in East Providence Bird

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from the remaining 60 mosquito pools, or samples, from a total of 29 traps set statewide during the week of September 19 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). An additional mosquito pool, from a trap set in the Fox Point area of Providence on that date, was previously reported as positive for West Nile Virus.

DEM also announces that a cardinal, collected from the Rumford area of East Providence on September 27, has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, said that the positive finding is not unexpected at this time of year. "The mosquito population has declined significantly, biting activity is much lower, and no new mosquitoes are being produced. However, there will be some mosquito activity, particularly during periods of warmer daytime temperatures, until the first hard frost," he said.

"Rhode Islanders should continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites, by covering up and wearing mosquito repellent when mosquitoes are active," Gettman adds. "One prime example would be when people are hiking in the woods in warmer weather."

DEM and the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) recommend that people routinely use mosquito repellent and cover up when mosquito biting activity is greatest, particularly from dusk to dawn. 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.

There have been two deaths in Massachusetts and two in New Hampshire this year from EEE, and several other residents of those states have contracted the disease. In addition, there have been three human cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts, two in Connecticut, and one in Rhode Island; all six individuals are expected to recover.

This year, in Rhode Island, one Providence resident, currently recovering, has tested positive for West Nile Virus, and two birds - one in Portsmouth as well as the one in East Providence reported today - have tested positive for the disease. One horse - stabled in Lincoln Woods State Park and euthanized in August - tested positive for EEE, as did a 19-year-old emu from Roger Williams Park in Providence. The emu, which was vaccinated against the disease, is expected to survive. No mosquitoes in Rhode Island have tested positive for EEE. West Nile Virus is well established throughout the state and, indeed, throughout the country, and EEE is present in the environment. 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.

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