Public Reminded to Guard
against Mosquito Bites
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced a mosquito sample
collected on Tuesday, August 15 in Barrington has tested positive for West Nile
Virus (WNV).
This is the second finding of WNV in Rhode Island this year; the
first occurred in Warren on Monday, August 7.
The remaining 92 mosquito samples
from traps set on the 15th tested negative for both WNV and Eastern Equine
Encephalitis (EEE).
• 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 of EEE
in mosquito samples. 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 a 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 Monday, August 21 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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