A mosquito looks to extract its blood meal from the arm of its host. Mosquitoes can spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus to human beings through their bite. (Robert S. Craig/CDC photo)
State officials are sounding the alarm over “significant risk” for mosquito-borne diseases in Washington County, based on tests of mosquito samples in South Kingstown and Westerly announced on Thursday.
The 13 positive tests for mosquitoes with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in South Kingstown, and two with West Nile virus in Westerly, reflect results of traps set on July 29 by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and tested at Rhode Island State Health Laboratories.
Washington County residents are urged to take extra precautions, although the entire state is considered at “elevated risk,” according to a statement from DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health.
The news comes less than a week before the start of the annual Washington County Fair, which kicks off in Richmond on Wednesday, Aug. 14 and includes events and entertainment each evening until it ends on Aug. 18.
Pete Fish, fair committee chairman, said the mosquito warning will not affect the fair schedule. Organizers have pre-treated the grounds with a pesticide spray designed to kill mosquitoes, as is done every year, Fish said in an interview on Friday.
“Hopefully that should correct the issue,” Fish said, adding that the fair committee had been in touch with DEM.
Already this season, the state has announced findings of West Nile from mosquito samples in Pawtucket , and EEE in mosquito traps set in Tiverton and Coventry.
Massachusetts officials announced on Aug. 6 a confirmed case of West Nile in a man in Hampden County, as well as one case of EEE in a horse in Plymouth. Another 124 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile, and 34 for EEE, in the Commonwealth. Connecticut has reported 105 West Nile virus findings in mosquitos, and 20 with EEE.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is extremely rare in humans, but can be serious and deadly, killing 30% of those infected and leaving many survivors with ongoing neurological problems, including abdominal pain, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and more. West Nile Virus is more common but only one in five people infected notice serious symptoms like a fever.
To prevent the chance of disease, residents are encouraged to wear protective clothing and bug spray, and to limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Property owners are also encouraged to remove standing water from their land, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Additional prevention tips and information about EEE is available at health.ri.gov/mosquito . Mosquitoes are trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the State Health Laboratories. DEM issues advisories on test results from June through September, with additional reports as necessary. Typically, positive test results trigger additional trapping to assess risk.
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