PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that test results from all 81 mosquito pools, or samples, from 37 traps set statewide on September 28 are confirmed negative for both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Due to negligible numbers of mosquitoes collected in the latter part of September, no traps have been set since the September 28 trap week, and no results are pending; therefore, this is the last weekly status update of the season.
While mosquito numbers naturally dwindle and do not reproduce at this time of year, we have yet to sustain a hard frost, which eliminates the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases. Therefore, residents may notice an occasional mosquito, particularly on warmer days and nights.
This year in Rhode Island, WNV was detected in four mosquito samples which were collected in North Kingstown, Tiverton, Cranston and South Kingstown. EEE was not detected in mosquitoes trapped in Rhode Island this year. There have been no human cases of WNV or EEE reported in Rhode Island this year.
Mosquitoes were trapped every week statewide throughout the season by DEM staff and tested at the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories.
Visit RI DOH's website for additional prevention tips and for Rhode Island-specific data.