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 Mosquito Response Protocol DOH's WNV Page DOH's EEE Page |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
FIRST MOSQUITOES TRAPPED TEST NEGATIVE FOR WNV AND EEE PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from the first mosquitoes trapped this season are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. DEM staff collected the mosquitoes from 17 traps set statewide on June 11 and separated them into 34 mosquito pools for testing by the RI Department of Health Laboratory. Results for all pools were received today.DEM will normally report mosquito test results once a week on a routine basis, with additional reports as necessary. Positive mosquito test results will generally trigger additional trapping to assess risk. The State of Connecticut today reported positive West Nile Virus from a pool of mosquitoes that was trapped on June 11 in Stonington, just over the Westerly border. This is an indication that West Nile Virus is established in our area, and is the earliest in the season that a positive West Nile Virus result has been detected in Connecticut. Public Urged to Take Personal Protection Measures Personal protection is still the first line of defense against mosquito-borne disease. Residents should, as part of their normal seasonal routine, protect themselves from exposure to West Nile Virus and EEE by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. At this time of year, they are urged to get rid of anything in their yards that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk, and debris, and to make sure their gutters are clean so that they drain properly and that swimming pools are properly maintained. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Just one cup of standing water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes. Personal protection and larviciding are cornerstones of the state's mosquito response protocol, which has not substantially changed during the past six years. Aerial or ground spraying will be recommended only when a team of mosquito-control experts determines that the public is at substantial risk of contact by infected mosquitoes. Since West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are both firmly established throughout the state, it is not necessary to test birds for those viruses as an "early warning." Residents can dispose of dead birds by double-bagging them and putting them in their household trash. There is no evidence that birds can transmit West Nile Virus to humans; mosquitoes that bite infected birds and then bite humans are the transmitters. However, as with any dead animal, avoid bare-handed contact of the carcass by using gloves or an inverted bag to place it in the double bag for disposal. 2007 Rhode Island Roundup Last year, in Rhode Island, five mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile Virus, and no mosquito pools tested positive for EEE. Last year, state officials 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. The Viruses EEE, a cyclical virus, while not nearly as common as West Nile Virus, has a higher fatality rate. It is a viral disease contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. In most years, the virus is limited to native bird populations and bird-biting mosquitoes, but occasionally the virus can be transmitted to humans and domestic animals. EEE virus affects the brain with symptoms that appear 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include high fever, headache, stiff neck and decreased consciousness. Up to 50 percent of cases may result in fatality. Individuals with symptoms suggestive of EEE should contact their physician immediately. West Nile Virus is also a mosquito-transmitted, viral disease that causes encephalitis. However, mortality rates are much lower than those of EEE. Most people bitten by WNV-infected mosquitoes do not get sick. However, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more prone to infections. Symptoms begin 3-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, rash, stiff neck, muscle weakness, and disorientation. Of cases with serious symptoms, up to 15 percent may result in fatality. West Nile Virus made its first appearance in the Western hemisphere, in the New York City area in 1999, and has since spread throughout the country. 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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