RIDEM says West Nile Virus found in mosquito sample

PAWTUCKET, Mass. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said that the first positive case of West Nile Virus was found in a mosquito sample in the state.

The sample was collected in Pawtucket on July 15, and no cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis were found in the 190 total samples collected in the Ocean State.

“Anything you can do to eliminate that pooled water is going to help to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home,” Public Communication Officer Joseph Wendelken said. “It’s been a rainy summer, so people may have water pooling in gutters for example, a tire in the backyard, maybe some kids toys in the yard that are collecting water.”

Rhode Island has had two EEE cases in samples this year, while Massachusetts has had 27 West Nile samples and 17 EEE.

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