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8.31.2000 00:00
Small area
of city to be
sprayed for
West Nile
 An area east of Wampanoag Trail will be sprayed this evening after an infected dead crow is found within a two-mile radius in neighboring Seekonk.
By GREGORY SMITH
Journal
Staff Writer
EAST PROVIDENCE
-- Because a dead crow infected with West Nile virus was found in neighboring Seekonk, a small part of the city will be sprayed with pesticide, the state Department of Environmental Management announced yesterday.
Spraying aimed at killing virus-carrying mosquitoes is scheduled to be done this evening by trained East Providence municipal employees using truck-mounted "ultra-low-volume sprayers" provided by DEM.
State officials only identified the area to be sprayed as "eastward of Wampanoag Trail" and said details would be announced at a news conference at noon today.
But two of the streets that could be affected, based on where the crow was found, are Catamore Boulevard and Amaral Street. They appear to fall within the two-mile radius established by the state as the zone to be sprayed when evidence of the virus is detected.
The virus lives in birds and can be carried from birds to humans by the common mosquito, through a bite. It is a rare disease but it can cause flu-like symptoms, according to Robert Marshall Jr., assistant director of the state Department of Health. It can be fatal to the elderly or to people who are already sick.
DEM only recommends spraying to local authorities and does not mandate it, but the DEM announcement said "spraying will be done" in East Providence. City Manager Paul Lemont could not be reached for comment late yesterday afternoon.
The crow was found on Fieldwood Avenue in Seekonk last Thursday and tested at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in Boston. Results were received by Seekonk municipal officials Monday evening and reviewed by DEM yesterday morning in consultation with Massachusetts authorities.
The spraying range is based on the belief that a dying crow does not have the strength to fly far and has stayed in one area for days or weeks.
In addition to spraying, Rhode Island's West Nile Virus Action Plan calls for an intensified public education campaign in the area, emphasizing the advice that people protect themselves by covering up to avoid mosquito bites.
DEM also intends to place mosquito traps in the area, in order to test mosquitoes for the presence of the virus.
Weather permitting, spraying of the pesticide Sumithrin is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Spraying can be thwarted by wind and rain, so the postponement day would be tomorrow.
There will be no spraying near open water or field crops.
The active ingredient in Sumithrin is similar to what is used in pet shampoos, flea sprays and household insect sprays. With careful spraying, the health risk to humans is "negligible," DEM officials said in a statement, but direct exposure should be avoided.
They offered these tips for people in the area to be sprayed: Keep all family members and pets inside during spraying, especially those with respiratory problems; stay inside at least 10 minutes after spraying, preferably longer; if exposed, wash off.
Also, close windows and shut off air conditioners; bring toys, clothes and small equipment inside; cover outdoor tables and large equipment; close car windows and switch interior air flow to the recirculate mode; wash any exposed fruits and vegetables, especially from one's garden, before storing, cooking or eating.
DEM said East Providence residents may get information about spraying in their city by calling 435-7751 from this morning through the duration of the spraying.
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