Fourth
EEE finding of the year
DEM
news release
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is in addition to the West Nile virus found in Charlestown and announced yesterday.
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from one mosquito pool, or sample, from a trap set in central Barrington has been confirmed positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from one mosquito pool, or sample, from a trap set in central Barrington has been confirmed positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
It is the fourth time
this year that EEE has been positively identified in Rhode Island. The positive
EEE result was from a Culiseta species that feeds almost exclusively on birds.
The positive EEE finding came from mosquitoes
trapped by DEM staff on September 5th and tested at the RI Department
of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. The results were confirmed today.
According to Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, the positive results were not unexpected and confirm that there are infected mosquitoes in the environment. Therefore, all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito-biting activity is high.
According to Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, the positive results were not unexpected and confirm that there are infected mosquitoes in the environment. Therefore, all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito-biting activity is high.
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.
Because horses are susceptible to West Nile Virus and EEE, Rhode Island horse owners should consult with their veterinarians to determine if their horses are properly vaccinated against both diseases and take measures to control and prevent mosquito exposure.
Because horses are susceptible to West Nile Virus and EEE, Rhode Island horse owners should consult with their veterinarians to determine if their horses are properly vaccinated against both diseases and take measures to control and prevent mosquito exposure.
Those
controls should include: removing or covering all areas where standing water
can collect; applying mosquito larvicide in appropriate locations; and avoiding
turning animals outside at dawn, dusk and during the night when mosquitoes are
most active.
Horse owners should insect-proof facilities where possible; use
approved repellants frequently; monitor animals for symptoms of fever,
in-coordination, stumbling and neurological signs; and report all suspicious
cases to a veterinarian immediately.
This year, to date in Rhode Island, four pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and three pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
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 the remaining 150 pools of mosquitoes trapped on September 5th will be included in next 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".
This year, to date in Rhode Island, four pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and three pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
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 the remaining 150 pools of mosquitoes trapped on September 5th will be included in next 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".