West Nile Virus Detected in East Providence, Westerly, and West Greenwich
Also, high pollen is here
Pollen.com. Mostly ragweed and grasses
The Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)
have confirmed detections of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the state.
The virus was
found in mosquito samples collected by DEM in East Providence, Westerly, and
West Greenwich on August 12 and tested by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories. The
other samples collected statewide showed no signs of Eastern Equine
Encephalitis (EEE) virus, Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV),
or additional WNV. Check RIDOH’s arboviral surveillance data webpage for
updated weekly test results.
WNV is the main mosquito-borne disease in the US. While most
people with WNV don’t get sick, about one in five people who are infected
develop a fever and other symptoms. There are no vaccines to prevent or
medications to treat WNV in people. For more information about WNV, visit www.health.ri.gov/wnv.
To learn ways to prevent mosquito bites and the diseases
carried by mosquitoes, please visit health.ri.gov/mosquito. For mosquito
control info, visit dem.ri.gov/mosquito.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives,
visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter/X
(@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Sign up here to receive the latest
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