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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 5 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE 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 possible. The mosquito population has declined significantly, biting activity is much lower, and no new mosquitoes are being produced. However, there will be some mosquito activity, particularly during periods of warmer daytime temperatures, until the first hard frost. Protection Still Important "Rhode Islanders should continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites, by covering up and wearing mosquito repellent when mosquitoes are active," Gettman said. "One prime example would be when people are hiking in the woods in warmer weather." 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. 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 are established in the bird/mosquito cycle throughout much of New England, including Rhode Island. And, as DEM reported last week, state officials have received reports of a visitor from the United Kingdom who was diagnosed with EEE after returning home from a six-week visit to Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Although it is impossible to pinpoint the location, or in fact, the state in which he contracted EEE, the visitor's life-threatening illness should drive home the message that all residents and visitors should protect themselves against mosquito bites. 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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