Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Protect yourself and family against mosquito bites - colder temperatures haven't killed off Tiverton's infected mosquitoes yet.
Samples from a northern Tiverton mosquito pool tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), announced DEM on Monday. The positive EEE result was from a Culex species that feeds on birds and mammals. The positive EEE finding came from mosquitoes trapped by DEM staff on Sept.24 and tested at the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. The results were confirmed on Monday. According to Alan Gettman, Ph.D., DEM's mosquito abatement coordinator, even though evening temperatures have gotten cooler, there are still infected mosquitoes in the environment. Therefore, all Rhode Islanders should take extra care to protect themselves, particularly when mosquito-biting activity is high. Both Tiverton and Little Compton schools …
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A local woman is recovering after being diagnosed with the disease carried by infected mosquitoes.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported Tuesday that a Bristol County woman has been diagnosed with meningitis resulting from a West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. The woman, described as being in her 60s, is now recovering. The health department does not release specific towns of West Nile victims. This case is Rhode Island’s third case of illness resulting from a West Nile infection this year. “Though the days are getting shorter and cooler, Rhode Islanders must remain vigilant against the threat of mosquito-borne illness until the first hard frost,” said Michael Fine, director of the health department. “Personal protection and smart scheduling of outdoor activities must remain priorities for everyone.” …
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Evening sports, including games, are being moved to the afternoon due to mosquitoes.
The Portsmouth School District is following the lead of North Kingston, Bristol-Warren and Chariho school districts, and moving evening sport activities to the afternoon. The school district posted this release on their Web site: Dear members of the Portsmouth High School Community, The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued an advisory regarding EEE-mosquito-borne illness. They have urged schools to employ “smart scheduling” of outdoor activities in order to minimize the risk of mosquito bites for students, coaches, and spectators. At this time, the Portsmouth High School athletic department is actively working to shift evening contests, where possible, to the afternoon in order to avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn, the …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
With multiple pools of mosquitoes testing positive for EEE and WNV, health officials are urging schools and towns to reschedule outdoor sports.
The state Department of Health is urging towns and schools to practice "smart scheduling" of outdoor sports amidst the rising threat of mosquito-borne illnesses. So far this year, five pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) while another four have tested positive for West Nile Virus across the state. Earlier this month, mosquitoes from a test pool near Wickford tested positive for Highlands J virus. Though the virus does not affect humans, it is an indicator environmental conditions are appropriate for the transmission of other mosquito-borne viruses. Health officials are now encouraging towns and schools to avoid scheduling sports practices, games and activities around early morning or at dusk – …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The report is the first human case of West Nile Virus Infection reported by the Rhode Island Department of Health
- AWARENESS
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) reported today that a man in his 50s from Newport County was diagnosed with West Nile fever, a mild form of West Nile Virus (WNV). The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed the diagnosis. The man first developed symptoms on August 25 and WNV infection was confirmed on Aug. 28. He has since recovered. “This is yet another reminder that this is the time of year when there are more mosquitoes and Rhode Islanders are at increased risk for exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus,” said Director of Health Michael Fine, MD. “It is imperative that anyone who spends a lot of time outside to use safeguards against mosquitoes.” Personal protection…
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
A Worcester, MA, resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness.
- NEWS
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The first death of a Massachusetts resident due to West Nile Virus (WNV) since 2005 and additional human cases have led state officials to raise the threat level in nearby Massachusetts to at least 'moderate." A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Friday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this gentleman during this difficult time," Worcester Division of Public Health Acting Commissioner Dr. Michael Hirsh said in a DPH press release. "While we have been fortunate that we have seen a very low number of human West Nile cases, on rare occasion WNV can be…
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Mosquito spraying will go ahead tonight from 7 to 11 p.m. despite complaints from a couple of residents.
A judge has given Portsmouth the green light to spray for mosquitoes tonight despite a request for a temporary restraining order, reports "The Providence Journal." Two Common Fence Point residents requested the town postpone spraying, stating it could be harmful to fish and humans. The group Save the Bay also sent a letter, requesting a postponement for the mosquito spraying, reports "The Journal." Spraying for mosquitoes will take place tonight from 7 to 11 p.m. through the Norseman, Viking, Valhalla, Common Fence and Island Park neighborhoods. Residents are asked to close their windows and keep them closed during the spraying process. For questions about the adulticide being used, residents may call the Rhode Island Department of Health…
Sunday, August 19, 2012
How can you protect yourself? Check out the tips below.
- GOVERNMENT
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Sunday, August 19, 2012
The following is from a press release. The Rhode Island Department of Health has determined that, according to its Mosquito-Borne Disease Risk Assessment Matrix, Rhode Island is at high risk for mosquito-borne illness. The health department is advising Rhode Islanders to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites after test results from a mosquito trap in Tiverton recently tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and tests from two Rhode Island mosquito traps tested positive for West Nile Virus. “It is not unusual to see positive results for EEE and West Nile Virus in mosquitoes in Rhode Island,” said Michael Fine, MD, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “But these positive results remind us …
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Samples from a central Tiverton mosquito trap tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, DEM announced today.
The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that test results from a mosquito sample from central Tiverton tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). This is the first positive report of EEE identified in Rhode Island this year, although it is presumed likely to be present in other areas of the state. The positive EEE result was from a Culiseta species that feeds almost exclusively on birds. The positive finding came from mosquitoes trapped by DEM staff on Aug. 6 and tested at the state Department of Health (HEALTH) laboratory. The results were confirmed today. As a result, DEM will be setting extra mosquito traps across the East Bay area. In Rhode Island EEE has only been found in mosquito species …
Friday, July 20, 2012
Massachusetts Department of Health announced that numerous Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)-positive mosquito samples were found in that state. Rhode Island officials urge residents to take measures to protect themselves.
- SUMMER
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Friday, July 20, 2012
The Rhode Island Department of Health is reminding all Rhode Islanders to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites after the Massachusetts Department of Health announced that numerous Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)-positive mosquito samples were found in that state. Massachusetts has announced that aerial spraying for mosquitoes will take place in 21 cities and towns there on Friday, July 20, and Saturday, July 21, including nearby Rehoboth. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) tests mosquito pools statewide in Rhode Island for EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV) each week. DEM reports that the state today received its first positive result for West Nile Virus from a sample pool in Westerly. No …
Claire Arrico
9:38 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
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