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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM: OCTOBER 12 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from all 76 mosquito pools, or samples, from a total of 29 traps set statewide during the week of September 26 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, notes that the mosquito population has declined significantly, biting activity is much lower, and no new mosquitoes are being produced. "However," he said, "there will be some mosquito activity, particularly during periods of warmer daytime temperatures, until the first hard frost. "Therefore," Gettman added, "Rhode Islanders should continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites, by covering up and wearing mosquito repellent when mosquitoes are active. 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, one mosquito sample from Providence, and two birds — one in Portsmouth and one in East Providence — 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 that was euthanized last week. 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 normally are trapped every week statewide through the end of October by DEM staff and tested at the HEALTH laboratory. However, because mosquitoes are not apt to fly during this week's continuous rain, trapping will not take place this week. Test results from last week's trapping will be reported by DEM on or by Wednesday of next week. Test results from next week's trapping will be reported by DEM on or by Wednesday, November 2, with additional reports as necessary. 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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