PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Environmental officials are renewing a warning to protect against mosquito bites after mosquito samples from Providence, Warren and Tiverton tested positive for West Nile virus.
The R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced the findings Wednesday, saying the infected mosquitoes were trapped on Aug. 6 and 14. The remaining samples collected around the state had no presence of West Nile or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
The mosquito-borne illness has now been detected in Rhode Island five times so far this summer, the first two being in Pawtucket and Tiverton in late July.
The DEM said the threat of West Nile virus and EEE is more prevalent in late summer and early fall and typically lasts until the first frost. The agency urged protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites and eliminating breeding grounds from your property.
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The announcement comes one day after neighboring Massachusetts raised the statewide risk level for West Nile virus and the mosquito-borne illness was found in New Bedford and Freetown.
