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7.31.2000
DEM
issues
mosquito
warning
 Mosquitoes trapped near Westerly's Champman Pond have a virus that could indicate the presence of EEE in area birds.
By PETER B. LORD
Journal Environment Writer
PROVIDENCE
-- Now we have another reason to do all we can to avoid mosquitoes.
The state Department of Environmental Management announced yesterday that it has detected Highland J virus in mosquitoes trapped July 24 at Pound Road near Westerly's Chapman Pond.
The Highland J virus doesn't affect humans, according to DEM officials. But it indicates that the deadly Eastern equine encephalitis may be present in area birds.
Because of concerns about the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, state officials have been warning Rhode Islanders all summer to take precautions against mosquito bites.
"The finding is a reminder that all Rhode Islanders should continue to take personal protection steps to avoid mosquito bites, and to prevent mosquito breeding grounds around their homes," the DEM said yesterday in a special announcement. "Personal protection is the first line of defense against mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as EEE and West Nile virus and is by far the best way of avoiding infection."
Neither West Nile nor EEE has been detected in Rhode Island this year, but West Nile has been found in birds in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. West Nile killed seven people in New York City last year.
Chapman Swamp has been a hotspot for EEE in past years. In 1996, the last time there was a major EEE outbreak, there were repeated findings of EEE in Chapman Swamp before it then moved on to Charlestown, Hopkinton, South Kingstown, Tiverton and Little Compton.
Since 1983, three people have been killed by EEE in Rhode Island. It's an extremely rare disease, but it's fatal about 50 percent of the time. It usually develops in the late summer or early fall, transmitted from one bird to another by a species of mosquitoes that feeds only on birds and lives in freshwater swamps.
EEE becomes a problem in years when it is so prevalent in birds that it gets transmitted to species of mosquitoes that bite birds, as well as humans and horses.
In 1996 the state launched widespread pesticide-spraying programs to kill mosquitoes.
DEM officials say they won't recommend any spraying at this point, with just the one finding of the Highland J virus. It continues to monitor mosquitoes trapped at 25 locations around the state.
If you have questions about mosquitoes and health issues, call the Department of Health hot line at 1-800-942-7434. For recorded information on mosquitoes, call the DEM's information line at 1-800-482-7878.
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