However,
it’s just the beginning of the season for West Nile and EEE
PROVIDENCE
- The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from
all 125 mosquito pools, or samples, from 21 traps set statewide during the week
of June 17 are negative for both West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine
Encephalitis. In addition, the remaining 32 mosquito pools from seven traps set
during the week of June 10 have been confirmed negative for WNV and EEE.
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. 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.
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.
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 or Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
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".
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 or Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
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".