Rhode Island health officials confirmed the first detection of West Nile virus in the state this year after finding the mosquito-borne illness in a sample collected in East Providence.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Department of Health announced Wednesday that the virus was discovered in a mosquito sample collected July 21 and tested by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories.
Other mosquito samples collected statewide showed no signs of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Jamestown Canyon Virus or additional West Nile virus cases, according to the agencies.
West Nile virus is the primary mosquito-borne disease in the United States. While most infected people don’t become ill, about 20% of those infected develop fever and other symptoms. No vaccines exist to prevent the virus, and no medications are available to treat it in humans.
Health officials recommend residents take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including using EPA-registered insect repellent, removing standing water around homes, wearing long pants and sleeves during dawn and dusk hours, and installing or repairing window and door screens.
The state maintains an arboviral surveillance program that monitors for mosquito-borne diseases throughout the mosquito season. Updated weekly test results are available on the Rhode Island Department of Health’s arboviral surveillance webpage.
For more information about West Nile virus prevention, visit health.ri.gov/mosquito. Mosquito control information is available at dem.ri.gov/mosquito.
