Public Reminded to Guard against Mosquito Bites
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island
Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced a mosquito sample collected on
August 7 in Warren has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
This is the first finding of WNV in Rhode Island this year. The
positive mosquito pool is a species that can bite both birds and humans.
The remaining 105 mosquito samples from traps set on Monday,
August 7 have tested negative for both WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis
(EEE).
The
positive finding is not unexpected. Mosquito-borne diseases are more prevalent
in late summer and early fall, and risk typically lasts until the first frost.
Personal protection is the first line of defense against
mosquitoes that may carry WNV, EEE, or other diseases – and the most effective
way to avoid infection.
Throughout
the summer season, the public is encouraged to:
•
Remove anything around your house and yard that collects water; just one cup of
water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.
•
Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, and repair holes in
window screens.
•
Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading pools, boats, planters,
trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else that collects water, and
cover them.
•
Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week, and rinse out
birdbaths once a week.
•
Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET
(20-30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.
Do not use bug spray on infants under 1 year of age.
•
Minimize outdoor activity at dawn and at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Put insect netting over strollers and playpens.
•
Wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible, particularly if you are
outdoors during dawn and dusk.
To
date, in Rhode Island, there have been three findings (including one in Westerly) of EEE in mosquito
samples and one finding of WNV. There are no confirmed human cases of EEE in
Rhode Island.
However,
because summer and fall are peak seasons for mosquito-borne disease
transmission to people, Rhode Islanders should be aware of the symptoms of EEE.
Severe cases of EEE (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain)
begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting.
If
you think you or a family member may have EEE, it is important to consult your
healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.
Horses
are particularly susceptible to WNV and EEE. Horse owners are advised to
vaccinate their animals early in the season and practice the following:
•
Remove or cover areas where standing water can collect.
•
Avoid putting animals outside at dawn, dusk or during the night when mosquitoes
are most active.
•
Insect proof facilities where possible and use approved repellants frequently.
•
Monitor animals for symptoms of fever and/or neurological signs (such as
stumbling, depression, loss of appetite) and report all suspicious cases to a
veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure if your horse is properly
vaccinated you should consult with your veterinarian.
•
Horses are the most susceptible domestic animal, but other, less common species
such as ratites (emus, ostriches, etc.) and camelids (alpacas and llamas) are
occasionally infected. Owners of ratites and camelids should consult with their
veterinarian regarding vaccination of their particular animals.
Mosquitoes
are trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories.
The
RIDOH State Health Laboratories have recently changed their testing methodology
to use a more sensitive testing method which may account for an increase in
positive results going forward.
DEM
issues advisories on test results from late June through September, with
additional reports as necessary.
Test
results are pending for traps set on August 15, and will be included in future
announcements. Typically positive mosquito test results will trigger additional
trapping to assess risk.
Visit
health.ri.gov/mosquito for additional mosquito prevention tips and for local
data. For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov.
Follow
us on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) and/or Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for timely updates.
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