First RI Mosquitoes Of Season Test Positive For EEE

PROVIDENCE, RI — State health officials issued a warning Thursday that there is a higher-than-usual threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis this season after the first positive tests on mosquitoes this summer came in from Central Falls. Combined with positive tests from southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut, the likelihood of additional positive tests is high and the public should be careful to avoid contact with mosquitoes as much as possible.

The Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Department of Health tested samples from throughout the state with two mosquito pools in Central Falls testing positive from an Aug. 6 batch. While there have been no documented cases of humans contracting the disease in the state this summer, caution is urged to limit exposure to the mosquito-borne illness. Residents are advised to use insect repellent with DEET, wear long sleeves and pants when possible, and limit outdoor activities from dusk until dawn.

DEM continues to trap mosquitoes in areas near the MA and CT borders and monitor for presence of EEE/WNV in RI. With findings of EEE on either side of RI, we should not be surprised if we have findings of the disease in RI. See https://t.co/U1Fqm2wYCc for protection tips & videos https://t.co/q1KpKb8x3m
— RI Dept. of Health (@RIHEALTH) August 9, 2019

Traps set in Rhode Island on Aug. 5 yielded 147 pools of mosquitoes with two pools of mosquitoes known to bite mammals testing positive in Central Falls for EEE. None of the 147 pools came back positive for West Nile Virus. Test results are pending for traps set on Wednesday, but the RI DEM said initial positive tests are typically followed by additional ones.

There have been 265 positive tests for EEE in Massachusetts this summer and multiple finding of both EEE- and West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes in Connecticut. Massachusetts announced its first human case of EEE this year on Aug. 10

Mosquito-borne illnesses are typically a threat from mid-summer until late September. Infected mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sundown.