Rhode Island Confirms 1st EEE, 4th West Nile Virus Findings Of 2023

RHODE ISLAND — A mosquito tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) in Rhode Island, the first to do so in the state this year, the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) said Tuesday.

The mosquito sample testing positive for EEE was collected in Glocester on Aug. 21. A separate mosquito sample, collected in Barrington on Aug. 21, tested positive for West Nile Virus. This was the fourth West Nile finding in Rhode Island so far this year.

Although extremely rare in humans, EEE is very serious. DEM officials said about 30 percent of people with EEE die, and many survivors have ongoing neurological problems.

Unlike West Nile Virus, which is prevalent in Rhode Island every year, EEE risk is variable, changing from year to year. With continued trapping and testing, DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health assess the EEE risk level during mosquito season.

Neither Massachusetts nor Connecticut has reported any findings of EEE in mosquitoes, humans, or animals. For more information on EEE and ways to prevent it, see RIDOH’s fact sheet.

As far as West Nile, the virus is not uncommon in the state, and is expected to increase in prevalence as peak mosquito season continues, the DEM said.

Mosquitoes will continue to be a problem in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the rest of New England until the first hard frost in the fall.

The DEM encouraged Rhode Islanders to take preventive action to reduce mosquito exposure. Here are some tips to stay safe.

Protect yourself

• Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
• 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.
• Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20 to 30 percent 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. Children should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied to 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 West Nile Virus NV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. 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 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.