POLL: More EEE Virus Found In Tiverton Mosquitoes

The Department of Environmental Management announced that test results from one mosquito trap set in a rural area in central Tiverton has been confirmed positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

It is the second time this year that EEE has been positively identified in Tiverton. The positive EEE result was from a Culex species that feeds on birds and mammals.

The positive EEE finding came from mosquitoes trapped by DEM staff on Aug. 20 and tested at the state Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. The results were confirmed Monday.

The first instance of EEE in Tiverton was found in samples trapped in town on Aug. 6.

Portsmouth hired Narragansett Pest Control to spray a broad spectrum adulticide, Anvil 10+ 10- ULV through the Norseman, Viking, Valhalla, Common Fence and Island Park neighborhoods last week.

The Aug. 23 spraying was a first for any town since 1996, according to "The Providence Journal.

Earlier in August, the town treated an Island Park playground with an experimental natural garlic-based product intended to create a barrier for adult mosquitoes.

In July Portsmouth treated Island Park catch basins after hearing complaints about mosquito numbers from residents. 

In addition, a sample of mosquitoes also collected on Aug. 20 in the Lymansville section of North Providence has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The positive WNV result was also from a Culex species that bites both birds and humans. 

Test results from the remaining pools of mosquitoes trapped on August 20 are still pending.

According to Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, the positive results are confirmation that there are infected mosquitoes in the environment. Therefore, all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito-biting activity is high. 

Avoid The Risk:

• Biting is generally is greatest from dusk to dawn. During the day it decreases in sunny areas at lower temperatures and increases in shady areas at higher temperatures. Biting activity also generally increases with high humidity and with low wind.

• Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases like EEE and West Nile Virus. DEM recommends routine use of mosquito repellent and to cover up when mosquito-biting activity is greatest. 
• Place mosquito netting over playpens and carriages outside, and be sure that screens are in good repair. Mosquito repellent should contain no more than 30 percent DEET, and it should not be used on infants. 

Help track mosquitoes in the area and monitor your neighbor's sitings in the region with Patch's interactive mosquito map.

This year, to date in Rhode Island, three pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus and two pools have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. 

Mosquitoes in Rhode Island are trapped every week statewide by DEM staff and tested at the RI Department of Health laboratory. DEM will normally report mosquito test results once a week on a routine basis, with additional reports as necessary. Routine test results from remaining pools of mosquitoes trapped during the week of Aug. 6 will be included in next week's announcement.

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

This information is from a press release issued by the state Department of Environmental Management.