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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: SEPTEMBER 14 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from one mosquito pool, or sample, from 44 traps set statewide during the week of September 1 is positive for West Nile Virus. Test results from the other 47 mosquito pools collected that week are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Test results from 10 pools remaining from the week of August 28 are still pending.The positive test result came from mosquitoes trapped at the same East Providence location where three West Nile-positive mosquito pools were reported in prior weeks. That trap is located in the southern part of East Providence adjacent to the Seekonk border, in a sparsely settled area. Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, noted that, despite the primarily negative test results, West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are both firmly established throughout the state. This is also the height of the mosquito-borne disease transmission season and the possibility of disease transmission remains likely. 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 are urged to 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. 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. Mosquitoes 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, with additional reports as necessary. Routine pending test results from the week of August 28 and test results from mosquitoes trapped this week will be included in next week's announcement. Positive mosquito test results will generally trigger additional trapping to assess risk. This year, to date in Rhode Island, five mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus – four in East Providence and one in Barrington – and no mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. However, both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been detected in mosquito samples in nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut. 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". -30- |
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