UPDATED: 1st Human Case of EEE Confirmed in RI
Saturday, August 31, 2019
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has confirmed the first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the state since 2010.
The virus was found in a person over the age of 50 from West Warwick.
“EEE is a rare, but very serious disease. We strongly recommend that people everywhere in Rhode Island protect themselves and their families by using insect repellent, minimizing outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn, and wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors at those times. People must also reduce opportunities for mosquitoes to breed by eliminating standing water around their homes,” said Ana Novais, Deputy Director of RIDOH.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEarlier this week, a Fairhaven woman passed away after contracting the virus, as GoLocalProv reported.
RI DEM Taking Extra Measures
In response to EEE, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is adding traps to capture and test more mosquitoes statewide.
DEM sets between 25 and 30 traps in Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Exeter, Warwick, Cranston, Johnston, Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket, East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Portsmouth, and Newport. DEM will add traps in West Warwick and the northern Rhode Island communities of Burrillville, North Smithfield, Woonsocket, and Cumberland.
Protection
RI Health gives the following tips on people can protect themselves and animals from the virus:
Protect yourself
- Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
- At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active), consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use bug spray.
- Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20-30% strength); picaridin, IR3535; and oil of lemon eucalyptus or paramenthane. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
- Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Children should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied on their skin. Wash children’s hands with soap and water to remove any bug spray when they return indoors.
- Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
Get rid of mosquito breeding grounds
- Get rid of anything around your house and yard that collects water. Just one cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes; an unused tire containing water can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
- Clean your gutters and downspouts so that they can drain properly.
- 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.
- Remove or treat any shallow water that can accumulate on top of a pool cover. Larvicide treatments, such as Mosquito Dunks can be applied to kill immature mosquitoes. This environmentally-friendly product is available at many hardware and garden stores and on-line.
- Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week and rinse out birdbaths once a week.
Best practices for horse owners
Horses are particularly susceptible to WNV and EEE. Horse owners are advised to vaccinate their animals early in the season and practice the following:
- Remove or cover areas where standing water can collect.
- Avoid putting animals outside at dawn, dusk, or during the night when mosquitoes are most active.
- Insect-proof facilities where possible and use approved repellents frequently.
- Monitor animals for symptoms of fever and/or neurological signs (such as stumbling, moodiness, loss of appetite) and report all suspicious cases to a veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure if your horse is properly vaccinated, you should consult with your veterinarian.
Related Articles
- Heeeee’s Baaaaack!
- First SEEED Conference in Providence Highlights Social Enterprise
- Mosquitos From Westerly Pool Test Positive for EEE
- How to Protect Yourself from EEE
- NEW: EEE Found in Mosquitos in Tiverton
- New England States At Increased Risk for West Nile + EEE
- One Woman Dead, Fourth Confirmed EEE Case in MA
- 9 Additional Southeastern MA Communities at High Risk for EEE Virus
- NEW: West Nile Virus/EEE Update
- NEW: Rhode Island Horse Euthanized After Testing Positive for EEE
