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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 28 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 10 mosquito pools, or samples, from 32 traps set statewide during the week of September 15 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, noted that, despite the negative test results and seasonally low mosquito numbers, West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are both firmly established throughout the state and the possibility of disease transmission remains likely. State officials have received reports that a gentleman from Scotland has been diagnosed with EEE and is now in a coma after his return from a six-week visit to Rhode Island and New Hampshire early this month. The visitor spent much of his time on extended freshwater fishing trips, and received multiple mosquito bites. Although it is impossible to pinpoint the location or, in fact, even the state in which he contracted the disease, EEE is established in the bird/mosquito cycle throughout much of New England, including Rhode Island, and his unfortunate situation should drive home the message that all residents and visitors should protect themselves against mosquito bites. 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. 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. 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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