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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 11 WEST NILE/EEE STATUS UPDATE PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from 87 mosquito pools, or samples, from 34 traps set during the week of August 31 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. As was previously reported, one mosquito pool in South Kingstown has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and two mosquito pools in South Kingstown have tested positive for the Highlands J virus, a bird disease that does not affect humans.West Nile Virus and EEE have been found in mosquito samples in New England states, including neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut. Up to 15 isolations of EEE have been found in Connecticut in nine different towns including North Stonington, which is on the RI border. DEM notes that it is the height of the mosquito-borne disease transmission season and the possibility of disease transmission is increasingly likely. Throughout the mosquito season, residents are encouraged to protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and avoiding 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. Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds from yards by removing anything that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk and debris, clean gutters so that they drain correctly, and maintain swimming pools properly. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Just one cup of standing water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes. 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. DEM State Veterinarian Scott Marshall, DVM, has issued several recommendations to horse owners to help protect their animals from getting bitten by mosquitoes. Dr. Marshall said that horse owners should use repellents on their animals; consider stabling their horses indoors at dawn and dusk, which are considered heavy mosquito feeding times; remove free standing water from stable areas; and consult with their veterinarian to determine whether their horses are properly immunized, as vaccination is safe and effective in the prevention of EEE in horses. Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health (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, no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus, and one mosquito pool has tested positive for EEE. 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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