EEE-infected
mosquitoes found in Westerly
 |
| Culiseta melanura mosquito from Wikipedia, not that you're likely to check a mosquito's ID when she's biting you. |
The
pool producing the sample consisted of 50 individual members of Culiseta melanura, a
species of mosquitoes that bites birds almost exclusively. They were trapped
August 11 in Chapman
Swamp, in Westerly, where mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus have
previously been found in 1996, 2003, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
The
other 102 pools collected August 11 all tested negative for EEE and West Nile
Virus (WNV).
All
162 pools from 38 traps set statewide August 3 and August 5 confirmed negative
for both EEE and WNV. Results from 147 pools collected from 44 traps on August
17 are pending. To date, Massachusetts has confirmed 3 human cases of EEE and
no findings of WNV.
The
Connecticut Department of Public Health announced Connecticut's first
EEE-positive mosquitoes August 11 in nearby Stonington and first human case of
WNV August 17.
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
EEE established in Rhode Island and WNV nearby, DEM and RIDOH remind the public
to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and prevent being bitten, whenever
possible.
While
outdoor spaces reduce the likelihood of exposure to COVID-19, they pose a
greater risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases.
For
this reason, DEM and RIDOH emphasize that if Rhode Islanders are going to be
outside during the peak "biting hours" – at dawn and dusk – to wear
your face masks, long sleeves and pants, and use insect repellent. The
following precautions are advised.
o
Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
o
At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active),
consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early
morning. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and
use bug spray.
o
Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET
(20-30% strength); picaridin, IR3535; and oil of lemon eucalyptus or
paramenthane. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
o
Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Children
should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied on
their skin. Wash children's hands with soap and water to remove any bug spray
when they return indoors.
o
Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
Get rid of mosquito breeding
grounds
o
Get rid of anything around your house and yard that collects water. Just one
cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes; an unused tire containing
water can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
o
Clean your gutters and downspouts so that they can drain properly.
o
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.
o
Remove or treat any shallow water that can accumulate on top of a pool cover.
Larvicide treatments, such as Mosquito Dunks can be applied to kill immature
mosquitoes. This environmentally-friendly product is available at many hardware
and garden stores and on-line.
o
Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week and rinse out birdbaths
once a week.
Best practices for horse
owners
Horses
are particularly susceptible to WNV and EEE. Horse owners are advised to
vaccinate their animals early in the season and practice the following:
o
Remove or cover areas where standing water can collect.
o
Avoid putting animals outside at dawn, dusk, or during the night when
mosquitoes are most active.
o
Insect-proof facilities where possible and use approved repellents frequently.
o
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.
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.
DEM issues advisories on test results from July through September, with
additional reports as necessary. 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