More EEE Virus and West Nile Virus Mosquito Findings
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) has confirmed one positive
finding of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus and one positive finding of
West Nile Virus (WNV). Hard frost ends mosquito season
The mosquito sample testing positive for EEE virus was collected in Westerly and the mosquito sample testing positive for WNV was collected in Exeter.
These results are from 84 samples collected from 35 traps set statewide by DEM on September 19, 30, and October 2. All other samples tested negative for EEE virus, WNV, or Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV). RIDOH and DEM are reminding the public that it remains a particularly active mosquito season in Southern New England and that recent human cases of both EEE virus and WNV and mosquito testing indicate that a high risk level remains statewide.
Due to the high risk level statewide, RIDOH and DEM are urging schools and organizations that have not yet implemented “smart-scheduling” to consider rescheduling outdoor activities scheduled to occur during early morning or dusk hours to earlier in the afternoon or relocating them to an indoor venue.
Although adult mosquitoes are not killed until a hard frost (defined as three consecutive hours below 32 degrees), mosquitoes become less active at temperatures below 58 degrees and they become largely inactive when temperatures fall below 50 degrees.
It is
important for all Rhode Islanders to take precautions to limit exposure to
mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites, including using an EPA-approved insect
repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
Previously this season, Rhode Island has
announced 18 EEE virus findings in mosquito samples, 14 WNV findings,
one confirmed human case off EEE virus, three confirmed human cases of WNV, and
three probable human cases of WNV. The State
of Connecticut has announced 70 EEE virus findings, 309 WNV
findings, two JCV findings, nine human cases of WNV, and two animal cases of
EEE, and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts has announced 333 WNV findings,
97 EEE findings, four
human cases of EEE virus, three animal cases of EEE virus, and
15 human cases of WNV. It is notable that EEE virus and WNV have been detected
in several Massachusetts and Connecticut towns bordering Rhode Island,
indicating a higher risk in bordering Rhode Island communities.
On Aug. 29-30, DEM conducted an aerial application of mosquito
larvicide across 3,000 acres of Chapman Swamp in Westerly and
Great Swamp in South Kingstown to reduce mosquito populations and related
disease risk. As mosquito season continues, the Mosquito Borne Disease
Advisory Group (MDAG), which DEM and RIDOH convene, will continue to evaluate the risk level statewide and
will provide updates if any further mosquito control measures are
planned. DEM and RIDOH continue to urge Rhode Islanders to protect
themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites and the diseases they
carry, including EEE virus and WNV. Weekly mosquito trap density and
mosquito testing results are available on RIDOH’s arboviral
surveillance data webpage.
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. 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.
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 has been 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.
In addition to considering smart-scheduling, 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.
- Consider
rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early
morning at sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus are
most active). If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and 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 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, consult your veterinarian.
Visit health.ri.gov/mosquito for
additional mosquito prevention tips, videos, and local data. DEM traps
mosquitoes weekly and tests them at the RIDOH State Health Laboratories. From
June through to the first hard frost of the season, which usually occurs
in mid-October, DEM issues advisories on test results, 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.
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