RI DEM Announces the Start of Mosquito Testing Across the State
Thursday, June 22, 2017
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced the first batch of mosquitoes trapped and tested this season for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are negative.
Starting in June every year and as part of disease monitor efforts in Rhode Island, DEM traps mosquitoes for testing by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Test results are issued weeks with special advisories as needed.
The first trapping, conducted on June 5, included 20 traps and 41 mosquito pools.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTest results are pending for 121 pools trapped on June 12.
DEM Reminding Public of Mosquito Safety
The RI DEM reminds the public to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and avoid bites, where possible. They advice the following precautions.
- Remove anything around your house and yard that collects water; just one cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.
- Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, and repair holes in window screens.
- Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading pools, boats, planters, trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else that collects water, and cover them.
- Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week, and rinse out birdbaths once a week.
- Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20-30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.
- Minimize outdoor activity at dawn and at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Put insect netting over strollers and playpens.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible, particularly if you are outdoors during dawn and dusk.
West Nile Virus Detected in 2016
West Nile Virus was detected in a mosquito sample from a trap in Pawtucket in 2016.
There were two confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus in Rhode Island.
Related Articles
- NEW: Barrington Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus
- NEW: Providence County Man Gets Meningitis From West Nile Virus
- NEW: HEALTH Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus in RI
- NEW: West Nile Virus Surfaces in West Kingstown, RI
- BREAKING: West Nile Virus Found in RI
- NEW: West Nile Virus/EEE Update
- RI Dept. of Health Confirms First Human Case of West Nile Virus in RI in 2016
- Washington Post Says RI Dem Primary for Gov is One of the Best Races in US, Fails to Mention Pell
- RI DEM Offers Ideas for Celebrating Earth Day 2014
- Matt Fecteau: Is RI Dem Chair McNamara Captain of the Titanic?
- RI DEM Warns of Black Bears Emerging From Hibernation
- RI DEM Warns of Black Bears Coming Out of Hibernation
- RI DEM Farmers Meeting Still on During Washington County Fair
- RI DEM Awards Over $200,000 in Grants to Local Food Businesses
