DEM ANNOUNCES EEE FOUND IN NEW POOL OF MOSQUITOES TRAPPED IN SOUTH KINGSTOWN

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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:	September 14, 2009
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM ANNOUNCES EEE FOUND IN NEW POOL OF MOSQUITOES TRAPPED IN SOUTH KINGSTOWN
Public Urged to be Vigilant to Protect Themselves From Getting Mosquito Bites

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from a second mosquito pool, or sample, from a trap set at Peckham Farm at the University of Rhode Island has been confirmed positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. It is the second time this year that EEE has been positively identified in Rhode Island, although it is presumed likely to be present in all areas of the state. The positive EEE result was from a Culex species that bites both birds and humans. In addition, one mosquito pool from a trap set in the Capitol Hill area of Providence has tested positive for the Highlands J virus, a bird disease that does not affect humans. The positive findings came from mosquitoes trapped by DEM staff on September 8 and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. The results were confirmed today. As a result, DEM will continue to set additional mosquito traps in South Kingstown, and will be setting extra mosquito traps in Providence.

"People should be especially vigilant now and continue to take precautions to protect themselves against getting bitten by mosquitoes," noted Alan Gettman, DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator. "This includes wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, particularly at dawn and dusk, using mosquito repellent when mosquitoes are active and when hiking in the woods in warmer weather such as we're experiencing today." Gettman also notes that our neighboring states of Massachusetts and Connecticut continue to find EEE isolations, and that a human case of EEE has been reported in New Hampshire.

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.

This year, to date in Rhode Island, no mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus, and two mosquito pools have tested positive for EEE. West Nile Virus and EEE have been found in mosquito samples in New England states, including neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Mosquitoes in Rhode Island are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health laboratory. DEM will normally report mosquito test results once a week on a routine basis, with additional reports as necessary. Routine test results from remaining pools of mosquitoes trapped during the week of August 24 will be included in this week's announcement.

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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