West Nile Virus detected in R.I. for first time this year
11:43 AM Wed, Aug 27, 2008 | Permalink
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Projo 7 to 7 News BlogTaking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day |
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Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts A mosquito sample taken in Pawtucket has turned up positive for West Nile Virus -- the first time this year the virus has been detected in Rhode Island. The mosquito pool, or sample, was from the Woodlawn section, the state Department of Environmental Management said today. Though it's the year's first sample to show West Nile, the virus "is likely well established throughout the state, and, indeed, throughout the country," the DEM news release says. Although many mosquito species bite only birds, the Culex species that tested positive for West Nile Virus also bites mammals, including humans. Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The DEM urged people to avoid bites by using screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. People are urged to use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. But do not use repellent on infants. Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds from yards by removing anything that holds standing water -- old tires, buckets, junk and debris. Abd clean gutters so that they drain properly.
"The positive findings are not unexpected," Dr. Alan Gettman, the DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, said in the statement. "We are at the height of the mosquito-borne disease transmission season. The possibility of disease transmission is increasingly likely. The positive test results should send a strong reminder to all Rhode Islanders that it is important to routinely protect themselves against mosquito bites now and throughout the rest of the mosquito season." The test result, at the state Department of Health laboratory, was from mosquitoes trapped by DEM staff during the week of Aug. 18. The DEM will, as a result of the finding, set extra mosquito traps in the vicinity where the positive sample was found. Test results from an additional 71 mosquito pools trapped during the week of August 18 are pending. 
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