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9.27.2000 00:15
W. Nile virus found in six more crows
 But with the mosquito population dying off, state officials say they do not plan to spray in Charlestown, Portsmouth, North Kingstown or Westerly, where the birds were found.
By JONATHAN D. ROCKOFF
Journal Staff Writer
The West Nile virus was found in six crows across four communities last week, but state environmental officials do not plan to spray in the towns with the mosquito population dying off.
Until the cold completely destroys mosquitoes, however, the state Department of Environmental Management urged Rhode Islanders to avoid mosquito bites by wearing repellent when hiking and covering up at dawn and dusk.
Crows that tested positive were collected on Riidam Way and Cobleigh Street in Charlestown, Lisa Terrace in Porstmouth, Laurel Ridge and Mesa Drive in North Kingstown and Sesame Street in Westerly, the DEM said.
The crows were collected between Sept. 17 and 20.
Since late May, the state has tested 159 birds for the West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, the DEM said. Of those, so far 20 have tested positive for the West Nile virus and three for the more serious EEE.
In a news release announcing the latest test results, the DEM said it expected to find during the next few weeks more birds infected with the West Nile virus. But it said the risk to humans is falling.
That is because mosquito production has stopped as the days have shortened and the nights have become cooler, the DEM said. Surviving mosquitoes bite less under those conditions, too.
State and local authorities have been spraying communities where infected birds were found. But the DEM said it would not spray insecticide after the latest round partly due to the dwindling number of mosquitoes.
Another reason for not spraying, the DEM said, is the low nightly temperatures. Mosquitoes are not active at low temperatures, and forecasts predict upcoming nights to be in the 40s and 50s.
For information about protection from mosquitoes, people can call during business hours the state Department of Health's family health information line at (800) 942-7434 or DEM's mosquito information line at (866) 634-7500.
Find out more about the West Nile virus
, from recent local news to information about the disease to preventive measures, at:
http://projo.com/specials/westnile/
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