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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 12, 2007
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM: OCTOBER 12 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 nine mosquito pools, or samples, from a total of 31 traps set statewide during the week of September 29 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 September 29 trap week, and no results are pending; therefore, this is the last weekly status update of the season.

Although there are few mosquitoes left, 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, to date in Rhode Island, five mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus xxxxxxx four in East Providence and one in Barrington xxxxxxx 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 month, 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".

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