Weekly
Mosquito Advisory
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that test
results from one mosquito pool, or sample, from a trap set in South Kingstown
has been confirmed positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The findings are not
unexpected. We are currently in the highest risk period for transmission of mosquito-related illness to humans.
The
positive finding came from mosquitoes trapped by DEM staff on August 27 and
tested at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) State Health Laboratories.
The remaining 163 mosquito samples from 33 traps set on August 27 have tested
negative for WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
To
date, in Rhode Island, nine mosquito samples from seven communities have tested
positive for WNV, and four mosquito samples have tested positive for EEE.
Neighboring states of Connecticut and Massachusetts continue to report positive findings of WNV in mosquito samples.
Positive findings of WNV in Southern New England have been higher this year than recent years, and risk will remain high through September.
Neighboring states of Connecticut and Massachusetts continue to report positive findings of WNV in mosquito samples.
Positive findings of WNV in Southern New England have been higher this year than recent years, and risk will remain high through September.
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.
With WNV and EEE established throughout the state, DEM and RIDOH remind the public to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and prevent being bitten, whenever possible.
The following precautions are advised:
•
Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET
(20-30% strength is recommended), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon
eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
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, moodiness, 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.
• 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, moodiness, 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.
Visit
http://www.health.ri.gov/mosquito for additional mosquito prevention tips,
videos, and local data. DEM and RIDOH also remind Rhode Islanders to take
precautions to avoid mosquito bites when traveling to Zika-affected countries.
Pregnant women and women who are considering becoming pregnant should not
travel to countries with active transmission of Zika.
Mosquitoes
are trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories.
Last year, the RIDOH State Health Laboratories 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 September 4 and will be included in future announcements. Typically, positive test results trigger additional trapping to assess risk.
DEM issues advisories on test results from late June through September, with additional reports as necessary.
Test results are pending for traps set on September 4 and will be included in future announcements. Typically, positive test results trigger additional trapping to assess risk.
For
more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow
us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM)
for timely updates.
Related links
