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DEM's WNV/EEE Page

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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 23, 2006
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: OCTOBER 23 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE
Very Few Mosquitoes Left; Testing Ended for Season

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from all seven mosquito pools, or samples, from a total of 12 traps set statewide during the week of October 9 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Due to cooler evening temperatures and significant reductions in mosquito populations, no traps have been set since the October 9 trap week, and no results are pending; therefore, this is the last weekly status update of the season.

Although there are few mosquitoes left, people, Rhode Islanders, particularly those hiking in the woods, should be mindful that when the weather is warm and the air is still, there may be occasional biting activity until the first hard frost. They should therefore protect themselves from mosquito bites, by covering up and by wearing mosquito repellent when remaining mosquitoes are active.

Mosquitoes were trapped every week statewide throughout the season by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health laboratory. This year, in Rhode Island, 10 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile Virus, and three mosquito pools tested positive for EEE.

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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