Multiple threats from mosquitos, rip currents and high surf, and a nasty bacteria
By
Will Collette
As we go into the weekend, there are lots of cautions you should be mindful of.
Mosquito-borne
diseases
DEM
issued its most severe findings of disease-carrying skeets for the summer so
far and their findings bracket Charlestown. Thirteen (13) hits for Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE) were found in South Kingstown and two findings of
West Nile Virus were found in Westerly. That’s a pretty clear sign that our
area hosts some pretty nasty mosquitos
You
should take appropriate steps – DEM’s
announcement and warning appears in full, below.
Dangerous
beaches
The
National Weather Service has us under alert for both dangerously high surf and
rip currents.
Those
reports
and cautions are also posted in full, below.
Very
nasty infectious Vibrio bacteria at the beach
This
is one I have not seen before. The RI Health Department has issued a warning
that if you have an open cut or wound, you should stay out of salt water or
brackish water. The warning was issued after a Rhode Islander died recently
from Vibriosis.
The
bacteria can enter through openings in the skin, including cuts and surgical
wounds. It is especially dangerous for people suffering a number of common,
serious issues ranging from cancer to acid reflux.
And
again, you can read the full Health
Department warning below.
All of these precautionary reports are serious and warn beachgoers and coastal residents of potentially fatal conditions. Enjoy yourself, but please be safe.
The warning reports follow below.
RI Mosquito Report: State Announces Additional Findings of EEE and West Nile Virus; Urges Rhode Islanders to use Personal Precautions to Reduce Risk
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island
Department of Health (RIDOH) are announcing that the most recent mosquito
samples tested by the Rhode
Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) have confirmed 13 positive
findings of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus and two positive findings
of West Nile Virus (WNV).
The
mosquito samples testing
positive for EEE were collected in South Kingstown. The mosquito samples
testing positive for WNV
were collected in Westerly. These results are from 106 samples collected
from 23 traps set statewide by DEM on July 29. All other samples
tested negative for EEE virus, WNV, or Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV).
This
season, Rhode Island previously announced two EEE virus findings and
one WNV finding, the State of Connecticut has announced 20 EEE virus
findings and 105 WNV findings, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has announced 124
WNV findings, 34 EEE findings, one animal case of EEE virus, and one human case of WNV.
Although
mosquito-borne diseases become more prevalent in Southern New England as the
summer progresses, the high amount of EEE virus activity in South Kingstown
indicates a significant risk in Washington County and an elevated risk level in
Rhode Island. DEM and RIDOH are urging Rhode Islanders to continue protecting
themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites.
Although
extremely rare in humans, EEE virus is very serious and has a much higher human
mortality rate than WNV. Approximately 30% of people with EEE virus die and
many survivors have ongoing neurological problems. Unlike WNV, which is
prevalent in Rhode Island every year, EEE virus risk is variable, changing from
year to year. With continued trapping and testing, DEM and RIDOH will be able
to assess the EEE virus risk level this mosquito season. For more information
on EEE virus and ways to prevent it, please visit www.health.ri.gov/eee.
WNV
is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States
and is much more prevalent than EEE virus. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito
season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no
vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most
people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About one in five people who are
infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected
people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. For more information about
WNV, please visit www.health.ri.gov/wnv.
EEE
virus and WNV are typically present in wild bird populations. Birds are
reservoirs of the diseases and mosquitoes transmit these viruses among birds.
During an active mosquito season, the viruses are amplified in the environment
with each generation of mosquitoes. At a certain point, several mosquito
species that bite both birds and mammals serve as a bridge between
infected birds and uninfected mammals. Most bridge species are within the Aedes,
Coquillettidia, and Culex genera.
The
testing of mosquito samples for JCV is new for Rhode Island due to a new
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing method, but the virus is not new to the
region. JCV is a mosquito-borne pathogen that circulates
widely in North America, primarily between deer and mosquitoes, but can also
infect humans. Human cases can occur from late spring through mid-fall and is
most common early and late in the mosquito season with cooler weather.
Four
human JCV cases have been reported in Rhode Island residents since 2013. People
can be infected and not develop any symptoms, or only develop very mild
symptoms. Early symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and
fatigue. Rarely, more serious central nervous system disease, including
meningitis or encephalitis, can occur. There are no vaccines to prevent or
medicines to treat JCV.
Local
communities voluntarily participate with mosquito control through DEM’s larvicide distribution program, which provides
municipalities with a limited free supply of mosquito larvicide briquettes
that release environmentally-benign bacteria over a 90-day period in
underground stormwater catchment basins that are prime breeding areas of
mosquitoes, requiring only one application per season. In April, the Town of
Westerly conducted
an aerial application of mosquito larvicide across 500 acres of Chapman Swamp and
nearby swamplands by helicopter recommended as part of the state's action
plan to reduce mosquito populations and related disease risk.
Mosquito
Control:
Residents
can help control mosquitoes by removing backyard mosquito breeding grounds.
The Asian
Tiger Mosquito has become prevalent in Rhode Island urban
environments, and it is expected to be common again this season. It is notable
as a daytime biter encountered in shaded backyards. It has a striking black and
white pattern evident to the naked eye. It develops from eggs laid in
artificial containers, so residents are urged to remove standing water from
containers such as buckets, pots, wheelbarrows, boats, and pools. Clogged rain
gutters and puddles formed on tarps also can support the larvae of this species.
The Asian tiger mosquito is known to transmit several diseases, including WNV.
Rhode
Islanders should take the following measures to protect themselves from mosquito
bites and to help minimize mosquito breeding:
Protect
yourself!
- Put screens
on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
- At sunrise
and sundown (when mosquitoes carrying EEE virus 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.
- 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.
- Do not use
bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Check the product
label to find the concentration of DEET in a product. The American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30%
DEET when used on children. 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.
- Put mosquito
netting over playpens and baby carriages.
Remove
mosquito breeding grounds!
- Remove items
around your house and yard that collect water. Just one cup of water can
produce hundreds of mosquitoes; an unused tire containing water can
produce thousands of mosquitoes.
- Clean your
gutters and downspouts so that they can drain properly.
- 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.
- 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 online.
- Clean and
change water in birdbaths at least once a week.
Best
practices for horse owners!
Horses
are particularly susceptible to WNV and EEE virus. 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 repellents frequently.
- Monitor
animals for signs 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 health.ri.gov/mosquito for
additional mosquito prevention tips, videos, and local data. Mosquitoes are
trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories. DEM
issues advisories on test results from June through September, with
additional reports as necessary. Typically, positive test results trigger
additional trapping to assess risk.
For
more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook,
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely
updates. Sign up here to receive the latest press releases,
news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.
Coastal Hazard
Message
National Weather
Service Boston/Norton MA
Fri
Aug 9 2024
Southern
Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-Nantucket MA-Washington
RI-Newport RI-Block Island RI-
HIGH
RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING......HIGH
SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...
*
WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. For the
High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 to 9 feet expected in the surf
zone along with dangerous rip currents.
*
WHERE...Washington, Southern Bristol MA, Southern Plymouth MA, Barnstable MA,
Dukes MA, Nantucket MA, and Newport RI Counties.
*
WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, from 8 AM EDT this morning through this
evening. For the High Surf Advisory, from 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT
Saturday.
*
IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach
erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into
deeper water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS
ACTIONS...
Inexperienced
swimmers should remain out of the water due todangerous surf conditions.
Swim
near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim
against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If
unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
High Surf Advisory
Coastal Hazard
Message
National
Weather Service Boston/Norton MA Fri Aug 9 2024
Southern
Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-Nantucket MA-Washington
RI-Newport RI-Block Island RI-
HIGH
RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING......HIGH
SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...
*
WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. For the
High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 to 9 feet expected in the surf
zone along with dangerous rip currents.
*
WHERE...Washington, Southern Bristol MA, Southern Plymouth MA, Barnstable MA,
Dukes MA, Nantucket MA, and Newport RI Counties.
*
WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, from 8 AM EDT this morning through this
evening. For the High Surf Advisory, from 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT
Saturday.
*
IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach
erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into
deeper water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS
ACTIONS...
Inexperienced
swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
Swim
near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim
against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If
unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Rhode Islanders Reminded About Health Risks of Open Wounds and
Coastal Waters
The
Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) reminds residents to be aware of the
potential dangers of Vibrio bacteria if they have an open wound and enter salt
water or brackish water, which is a mixture of salt water and fresh water. Open wounds include recent cuts
and scrapes, recent surgery sites, and recent piercings and tattoos.
The
exposure of open wounds to salt water or brackish water can lead to dangerous
infections from bacteria, such as Vibrio. Vibrio are different types of
bacteria that normally live in warm seawater or brackish water. They can be
found in higher concentrations in warmer months, from May to October.
RIDOH
is issuing this reminder after identifying a fatal case of vibriosis (which is
an infection with Vibrio) in a Rhode Island resident this month, caused by the
bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Infections with Vibrio vulnificus are very rare,
and they are much more serious for people with existing, underlying health
issues. In severe cases, wounds infected with Vibrio vulnificus can lead to
sepsis and can be life-threatening.
"While
Vibrio is rare, it is important for anyone at risk to take precautions while
spending time in or around brackish water or salt water when the weather is
warm," said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. "Stay out of the
water and take precautions if you have a break in the skin or open wound,
particularly if you are at higher risk for serious illness."
In
addition to infections resulting from wound exposures, people can also become
infected with Vibrio after consuming raw or undercooked seafood. Cases can
range from mild to severe and rarely result in death. Vibriosis can cause
symptoms including vomiting, watery and bloody diarrhea, fever, and headache.
Before
this case, Rhode Island's last reported cases of Vibrio vulnificus occurred in
2017. Vibrio vulnificus bacteria thrive in warmer waters, and the geographic
range is expanding with rising sea temperatures. As coastal water temperatures
increase, Vibrio vulnificus infections are expected to become more common. Last
summer, the CDC issued a press release describing an increase in severe Vibrio
vulnificus cases in the Eastern United States. Cases were identified in North
Carolina, New York, and Connecticut in 2023. Vibrio vulnificus can be
relatively common in marine environments, including salt water and brackish
water.
Anyone
can get vibriosis, but individuals with certain medical conditions or who are
taking certain medications are at an increased risk of infection and
complications. They include:
- Having liver disease, cancer,
diabetes, HIV or thalassemia;
- Receiving immune-suppressing therapy
for the treatment of disease;
- Taking medication to decrease stomach
acid levels;
- Having undergone recent stomach
surgery.
RIDOH
recommends the following to keep yourself safe from Vibrio:
-
If you have an open wound or cut, avoid salt and brackish water. If you get a
cut while you are in the water, leave the water immediately.
-
If your open wounds and cuts could come in contact with salt water, brackish
water, or raw or undercooked seafood, cover them completely with a waterproof
bandage.
-
Wash open wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and clean, running water after
they come in contact with salt water, brackish water, or drippings from raw or
undercooked seafood.
-
If you are immunocompromised, cook raw oysters and other shellfish before
eating.
-
Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
-
Seek medical attention right away for infected wounds.
If
you have signs and symptoms of infection, be sure to tell your healthcare
professional, if:
You
have an open wound that might have come in contact with coastal water
(including salt or brackish water), or raw or undercooked seafood or its
drippings.
You
recently ate raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters.
For
more information on Vibrio, visit CDC's website. For Rhode Island enteric
disease data from 2018-2022, including vibriosis, please see RIDOH's enteric
disease data dashboard.
Related
links