State's First Human West Nile Virus Case This Year Has Been Confirmed, Health Department Says

CRANSTON, RI -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday confirmed Rhode Island's first human West Nile Virus case of 2016, the state health department says.

A 49-year old Pawtucket man was hospitalized on Aug. 12 for meningoencephalitis caused by the virus. He was admitted to Rhode Island Hospital and recovered.

The CDC confirmed the initial test results and notified the health department on Sept. 20.

According to Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the state health department, the case should remind people to protect themselves with bug spray, if they venture outdoors at sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are most active.

"Although we continue to hear about Zika virus in Florida, Rhode Islanders should be aware of other mosquito-borne illnesses as well, such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis," she said. "Anyone who spends time outside should protect themselves from mosquito bites and prevent
mosquitoes from breeding."

The health department recommends wearing protective clothing and using one of the sprays approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with the following active ingredients: DEET, (except for children under two months old) picaridin, IR3535; oil of lemon eucalyptus; or para-menthan-diol.