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August 3, 2007

Hot and muggy, but still no sign of West Nile Virus

We're into August and there's still no sign in Rhode Island of West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Test results taken from 78 mosquito pools came up negative for the virus, the state Department of Environmental Management announced today.

The results are from 35 traps set around the state during the week of July 23. Results from two additional pools are pending.

Still, the DEM warns that West Nile and Triple-E are "both firmly established throughout the state. Therefore, throughout the mosquito season, residents are encouraged to protect themselves by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and avoiding mosquito bites."

People should get rid of mosquito breeding grounds from yards by removing anything that holds standing water, such as old tires, buckets, junk and debris, clean gutters so that they drain correctly, and maintain swimming pools properly. Mosquitoes breed in standing water.

Avoid getting bitten by putting screens on windows and doors, covering up at dawn and dusk, and putting mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages when they are outside. And use mosquito repellent, but with no more than 30 percent DEET. Do not use repellent on infants.

For information about mosquito-borne diseases, go to www.state.dem.ri.gov, and click on "Public Health Updates", or go to www.health.ri.gov and click on "E" (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) or "W" ((West Nile Virus)) under "Health Topics".

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 1:32 PM | Permalink

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