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10.4.2000 00:57
West Nile warning:
Continue precautions
 Residents are urged to be vigilant against mosquito bites, even though the cooler weather has diminished the insect population.
By BRIAN C. JONES
Journal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE
-- The threat of West Nile virus is declining with the advance of fall weather, but people should continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites, state officials said yesterday.
"It's as important as it was at the height of the summer that people not let their guard down," said Malcolm J. Grant, associate director for natural resources at the state Department of Environmental Management.
The reminder came as the DEM announced that state tests show that nine more birds have tested positive for the disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal in a small percentage of cases.
So far, no people in Rhode Island have contracted West Nile virus, although a horse was put to death Aug. 28 after becoming infected in South Kingstown.
The incident was significant because the same kinds of mosquitoes that bite horses may also bite humans. However, some mosquitoes bite only birds.
That birds have had the disease means that it has moved into New England, after being found in the United States for the first time last year in New York City, where seven people died.
So far in Rhode Island, the West Nile virus has been found in 34 birds, including the 9 just reported, and in the horse.
Although spraying to prevent the spread of mosquitoes was carried out in 13 cities and towns in Rhode Island in the late summer, the DEM is not recommending that step now.
"The mosquito population has declined, biting activity has decreased and no new mosquitoes are being produced," yesterday's DEM advisory noted. "All of these factors add up to a significant reduction in the human health risk for West Nile virus."
In an interview, Grant said that people still need to take personal precautions against bug bites: to use bug repellent and wear protective clothing when walking outdoors at times when mosquitoes might be flying.
"We do want to emphasize that while the overall number of mosquitoes continues to decrease," Grant said, "if there is a warm day or evening, people are going to see mosquitoes. It's not like they all have disappeared."
While the DEM believes that no new mosquitoes are being born, ones that already have been bred still are active, with a lifespan of up to a month. The agency believes there will be some activity until the first "hard frost." No freezing temperatures are forecast in the next few days.
The DEM said the latest bird results were verified yesterday by the mosquito virus testing laboratory at the University of Rhode Island.
The total included five crows from Westerly and one from Newport; and three blue jays found in Narragansett, North Kingstown and Coventry. The birds were recovered Sept. 25 and 26.
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