DEM: SEPTEMBER 20 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:	September 20, 2006
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: SEPTEMBER 20 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
Mosquito Numbers Decreasing But Still Height of Infection Cycle

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from the remaining 83 mosquito pools, or samples, from 56 traps set statewide during the week of September 3 have been confirmed negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Four mosquito pools from traps set that week were previously confirmed positive for West Nile Virus and one was previously confirmed positive for Highlands J Virus, a bird disease that doesn't affect humans, but which is an indicator that environmental conditions are appropriate for the transmission of other mosquito-borne viruses.

Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, notes that although mosquito numbers have begun to decrease, it is still the height of the infection cycle between birds and mosquitoes, and there are still infected mosquitoes in the environment. Therefore, all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito-biting activity is high.

Biting activity depends on several conditions. It generally is greatest from dusk to 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 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.

West Nile Virus is well-established throughout the state and, indeed, throughout the country, and EEE has been found in most areas of Rhode Island in prior years. This year to date, in Rhode Island, 10 mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus. There has been one death in Connecticut this year from West Nile Virus; seven other people in that state have contracted the disease, as have two in Massachusetts.

Although no mosquito pools in Rhode Island have yet tested positive for EEE this year, state officials warn that does not mean the EEE virus is not in the environment here. The high number of mosquitoes testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Southern New England indicates that the Rhode Island area is this year at a higher than normal risk for EEE. In Massachusetts, there has been one death from EEE this year, and two other persons have contracted the often-deadly disease. An unusually high number of mosquito pools have tested positive for EEE in Massachusetts. One pool of exclusively bird-biting mosquitoes from nearby Stonington, CT was found to be EEE-positive.

Mosquitoes in Rhode Island 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, generally by Wednesday, with additional reports as necessary. Positive mosquito test results will generally trigger additional trapping to assess risk.

For online information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to DEM's website, www.state.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Public Health Updates", or go to the HEALTH website, www.health.ri.gov, and click on "E" (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) or "W" ((West Nile Virus)) under "Health Topics".

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