Rhode Island's least favorite summer guests have arrived: mosquitos, especially those carrying eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus. Several towns have taken measures to deal with the pests, such as spraying insecticides and rescheduling outdoor athletic events that were to be held during mosquito feeding times, particularly at dusk. In its mosquito report released Sept.
19, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Department of Health urged Rhode Islanders to continue mosquito prevention measures due to the high risk of EEE and West Nile Virus. The report also confirmed one human case and another probable case of West Nile, adding to previous findings of a confirmed and probable case of West Nile and the first human case of EEE in 2024. The most recent mosquito samples tested by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories confirmed one positive finding of EEE virus collected in Westerly.
All other samples tested negative for EEE virus, West Nile or Jamestown Canyon Virus. While EEE is rare, it can be fatal and individuals should take precautions to protect themselves and their families. The University of Rhode Island's Jannelle Couret is an associate professor of biological sciences specializing in the ecology and epidemiology of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks.
In a recent conversation, she explained the disease and what can be done to reduce the risk of infection. Is this just a bad year for mosquitos and EEE or .