United States: The Rhode Island health officials have been cautioned and residents are urged to take protective measures against mosquito-borne diseases after they announce new human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
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As per the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reports, the first encounter of a human case of EEE in 2024 in the state involved a Providence County resident in their 70s.
This has been seen as the first EEE case in Rhode Island since 2019 and only the eleventh one since 1983.
The officials have said that there is the possibility of a second human case of WNV in 2024, which has impacted a person in their 60s from Newport County.
As per the CDC, the state’s first WNV cases were first notified on August 16.
The director of Health, Jerome Larkin, MD, said, “We are seeing more human cases of mosquito-borne disease in Rhode Island and in bordering communities in Massachusetts and Connecticut,” as whatsupnewp.com reported.
“This underscores how important it is that all Rhode Islanders need to continue protecting themselves from getting mosquito bites,” Larkin said.
What advice do experts give?
Larkin has urged residents to prevent outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours at sunrise and sunset.
Moreover, he was asked to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and EPA-approved bug spray containing DEET or other useful repellents for the necessary outdoor activities.
As per the health officials, emphasis was given to eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around houses and other places of use.
Residents are also asked to prevent water collection inside unused areas such as pools, plant pots, and trash bins, as even a small amount of water could produce several hundreds of mosquitoes, whatsupnewp.com reported.
Moreover, the American Academy of Pediatrics has also recommended using products with no more than 30 percent DEET for children.
Last month, DEM also had aerial larvicide applications across three thousand acres in Chapman Swamp in Westerly and Great Swamp in South Kingstown to lower mosquito populations and disease risk.
The Mosquito-Borne Disease Advisory Group (MDAG) continues to measure statewide risk levels in order to update the required safety measures.