RI's 1st Human Case Of West Nile Virus In 2023 Confirmed

NEWPORT, RI — Rhode Island's first human case of West Nile Virus of 2023 was reported Wednesday by the RI Department of Health (RIDOH)

RIDOH officials said the person who tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness is a Newport County resident in their 70s. They developed symptoms in late August and are recovering, according to state officials.

"Mosquito season in Rhode Island is not over," state interim Director of Health Utpala Bandy said. "People need to continue taking prevention measures through the first hard frost. The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes breed in water, so you should get rid of anything around your house and yard that collects water, such as tires, planters, and old trash cans or recycling bins. You should use repellent, and also wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outside, especially at sunrise and sunset."

There continues to be an increased level of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus circulating in mosquitoes this year in Rhode Island and the Northeast. Connecticut has confirmed four West Nile Virus cases in a human and Massachusetts has confirmed three human cases this year, RIDOH officials said.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and RIDOH have confirmed 13 West Nile Virus findings in mosquito samples as of Friday: six in Westerly, two in Barrington, and one each in Central Falls, Cranston, Johnston, Richmond, and Tiverton. DEM and RIDOH said they will announce the latest mosquito sample findings Friday.

Common symptoms of West Nile Virus include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. Although many people who are infected with the virus show no symptoms, symptoms last for some people for several days or several weeks.

The DEM encouraged Rhode Islanders to take preventive action to reduce mosquito exposure. Here are some tips to stay safe.

Protect yourself

• Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
• At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active), consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use bug spray.
• Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20 to 30 percent strength); picaridin, IR3535; and oil of lemon eucalyptus or paramenthane. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
• Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Children should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied to their skin. Wash children’s hands with soap and water to remove any bug spray when they return indoors.
• Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.

Remove mosquito breeding grounds

• Remove items around your house and yard that collect water. Just one cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes; an unused tire containing water can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
• Clean your gutters and downspouts so that they can drain properly.
• Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading pools, boats, planters, trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else that collects water, and cover them.
• Remove or treat any shallow water that can accumulate on top of a pool cover. Larvicide treatments, such as Mosquito Dunks can be applied to kill immature mosquitoes. This environmentally friendly product is available at many hardware and garden stores and online.
• Clean and change water in birdbaths at least once a week.

Best practices for horse owners

Horses are particularly susceptible to West Nile Virus NV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Horse owners are advised to vaccinate their animals early in the season and practice the following:

• Remove or cover areas where standing water can collect.
• Avoid putting animals outside at dawn, dusk, or during the night when mosquitoes are most active.
• Insect-proof facilities where possible and use approved repellents frequently.
• Monitor animals for symptoms of fever and/or neurological signs (such as stumbling, moodiness, loss of appetite) and report all suspicious cases to a veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure if your horse is properly vaccinated, you should consult with your veterinarian.

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