DEM Releases September Mosquito-Borne Illness Update

The Department of Environmental Management announced Tuesday that test results from the remaining 109 mosquito pools, or samples, from 39 traps set statewide during the week of August 22 are confirmed negative for both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). 

As was reported on September 1, one mosquito pool collected on August 22 in Providence was confirmed positive for WNV. This virus is increasingly being detected in mosquito samples trapped at numerous locations in New England and in New York State. Also, an elderly man from Bristol County, Massachusetts passed away from EEE on Monday.  EEE is being detected in numerous mosquito samples collected from southeastern Massachusetts. These findings are not unexpected at this time of the year. Both diseases are more prevalent in late summer and early fall.

It is particularly important during September that residents protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds on their property, and avoiding mosquito bites. Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as WNV and EEE and is by far the most effective way of avoiding infection.

Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds from yards by removing anything that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk and debris, clean gutters so that they drain correctly, and maintain swimming pools properly. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Just one cup of standing water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.  Avoid mosquito bites by using screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk, and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. Also, use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Do not use repellent on infants.

Mosquitoes are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. DEM will normally report mosquito test results once a week on a routine basis, with additional reports as necessary. Test results from mosquitoes trapped this week will be included in next week's announcement. Positive mosquito test results will generally trigger additional trapping to assess risk.

For online information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to DEM's website, www. dem.ri.gov, and click on “Public Health Updates,” or go to the HEALTH website, www.health.ri.gov, and click on “E” (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) or “W” (West Nile Virus) under “Health Topics.”