PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Mosquitoes trapped in Barrington on Sept. 3 have tested positive for West Nile Virus, a news release from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management and the R.I. Department of Health announced Wednesday.
It is the fourth time this year that WNV has been positively identified in Rhode Island, although it is presumed to be present in other areas of the state. The virus was found in a pool of mosquitoes trapped near Barrington High School and was of the Culex species that feeds on birds and mammals.
On Tuesday, the two departments confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes trapped Sept. 3 in northern Tiverton and in Chapman Swamp in Westerly. Also, two mosquito pools -- one trapped in Tiverton and one trapped in a remote area of northwestern Hopkinton near the Connecticut border -- were confirmed positive for Highlands J Virus. Highlands J is a bird disease that doesn't affect humans but indicates conditions are right for the transmission of other mosquito-borne viruses.
As a result, DEM will be setting extra mosquito traps.Test results on the remaining 102 mosquito pools from 33 traps set statewide during the week of Sept. 3 are pending at the health department laboratory.
This year, to date in Rhode Island, four pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) and three pools of mosquitoes has tested positive for EEE. There have been no reported 2013 cases of WNV or EEE in humans in Rhode Island so far. Human cases of WNV and EEE have been reported in nearby states. There has been one confirmed case of WNV in Massachusetts, and two deaths from WNV in New Jersey. Vermont has had one death from EEE.
Until the mosquito season is ended by the first hard frost, residents are advised to protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and avoiding mosquito bites, especially during today and tomorrow's unusually warm evening temperatures Wednesday and Thursday.
Other advice:
-- Dress for protection. Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts and socks during outdoor evening and early morning activities.
-- Use bug spray. Mosquito repellent should have no more than 30 percent DEET during outdoor activities, particularly at dawn, dusk, and evening hours. Do not use repellent on infants. Instead, put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
-- Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
-- Be sure all open windows have well-fitting screens in good repair. Eliminate any standing water, including gutters. planters, wading pools, trash and recycling bins, and other places where water might collect. Just one cup of standing water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.
-- Protect horses with vaccines.