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8.15.2000 00:15
State urges
calm, caution
after discovery
of West Nile
 Ground-spraying around the area where an infected bird was found in Warwick is set to begin tonight, if weather permits.
By NORA LOCKWOOD TOOHER
Journal Staff Writer
WARWICK
-- State and local officials yesterday urged residents to remain calm, but to take precautions to prevent being infected by the West Nile virus.
"We certainly don't want people to panic," DEM Associate Director Malcolm J. Grant said at a news conference yesterday morning.
Ground-spraying within a two-mile radius of where an infected bird was found last week in the city's Norwood section will begin during the next two days.
It's tentatively set to begin tonight, but may be delayed until tomorrow because of weather conditions.
The DEM had hoped to start spraying last night, but said that was unlikely because of yesterday's damp, windy weather.
Spraying is expected to begin tonight at 7, but the weather again looks "iffy," Grant said. If rainy, windy conditions continue through tonight, the spraying will begin tomorrow, according to the DEM.
"We've got to have the conditions of light wind and no rain" to spray, Grant said.
Meanwhile, he suggested residents take steps to lower the risk of being bitten by a mosquito infected with the virus.
"Personal protection and use of [insect] repellents can eliminate your risk of getting infected by this disease to zero," Grant said. "What we're doing will help."
Four public works trucks from Warwick and Cranston will be equipped with DEM spray rigs filled with the pesticide Sumithrin, which is toxic to flying insects.
Once spraying begins, it will take about five hours to complete.
Although the public works departments and the DEM won't be issuing a street-by-street spraying schedule, a truck will alert residents on each street before the spraying takes place, with either a siren, bullhorn or flashing lights.
The truck will be followed by a spray truck, traveling at 10 miles an hour, that will spray each street in the affected area. On major roadways, such as Post Road, several trucks may spray at the same time, Grant said.
Another vehicle will follow the spray trucks to block drivers from traveling on roads that are being sprayed.
Grant said a total of 204 miles of street will be sprayed. The spray area includes the city's Norwood section, as well as the Garden City, Elmwood, Park View and Glen Hills sections of Cranston.
While spraying is under way, the Department of Health advises residents to stay inside and close their windows for about 15 minutes. Health officials suggest bringing pets indoors.
If lawn furniture or toys are left outside, Grant said, simply wash them with water the next day.
Walking down Sandy Lane near the city's public works headquarters, Deb Cost, of Warwick, said yesterday that she's not worried about West Nile virus.
"I usually take precautions, anyway," she said, such as not going outdoors at night, and wearing long-sleeved clothing outside.
"The worst thing I do is mow the lawn," she said.
The Journal received a number of calls from residents who are concerned about when the spraying will take place, and how to safeguard themselves and their families while the spraying is under way.
Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian and Cranston Mayor John O'Leary said the public works departments in each community will work together to develop the ground-spraying schedule.
So far, Grant said, the state Health Department has not received any reports of illness from West Nile virus in Rhode Island.
One dead crow, discovered last week on Pine Street in the city's Norwood section, has tested positive for the virus.
Alan Gettman, the scientist supervising mosquito-control efforts for the DEM, said there are about a dozen birds in the DEM's lab being tested for the virus. The testing on each bird takes about a week to complete.
"We'll report any negative results as soon as we get them," Grant said.
Since May, the DEM has received about 250 calls from residents reporting birds they suspect were infected with the virus.
Common in Africa and Eastern Europe, West Nile virus was never seen in this country until last year, when it was reported in New York City.
So far this year, West Nile virus has been detected in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland and New Jersey.
Three New York City residents contracted the illness this summer and are recovering, Grant said.
"We're not surprised," Grant said of the discovery of the virus in Rhode Island. "This is something we've been preparing for for six months. We're ready to go."
The only way to be infected by the disease is from the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, severe headaches, eye pain, drowsiness, extreme muscle weakness and enlarged lymph nodes.
The most serious complication is encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.
Most infected people have only mild, flu-like symptoms, Grant said, but the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are at risk for becoming seriously ill. Only a minority of those who become ill die. Last summer 7 of the 62 cases reported were fatal.
The DEM advises Rhode Islanders to use bug repellent, wear proper clothing and avoid areas where there is stagnant water.
Information about ground-spraying is available during the day by calling the state's mosquito information line at 789-8575. To report a bird suspected of being infected with the virus (such as one staggering or unable to fly), call the DEM at 788-3698.
Anyone with an adverse reaction to pesticides should call their doctor or the Regional Center for Poison Control at (800) 682-9211.
Yesterday, state Sen. James Donelan, D-Warwick, asked the state Department of Transportation to immediately remove 50 to 100 discarded tires in the area where the infected bird was found.
Donelan said the tires fill with water and are a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The area lies between eastbound and westbound traffic for Route 37, west of Jefferson Boulevard.
Find out more about the West Nile virus
, from recent local news to information about the disease to official tracking reports, at:
http://projo.com/specials/westnile/
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