Mosquito samples taken in Pawtucket and Tiverton on July 30th have been confirmed positive for West Nile Virus, the first findings of the virus in Rhode Island this year, the RI Department of Environmental Management announced today.
Mosquito-borne diseases are typically more prevalent in late summer and early fall. The risk usually lasts until the first frost.
The positive findings came from mosquitos trapped by DEM staffers are tested at state health labs. The remaining 157 samples from 39 traps set on July 30th have tested negative for WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
So far this year in Rhode Island two mosquito samples have proved positive for WNV and four have tested positive for EEE. Massachusetts and Connecticut have also reported positive findings of WNV in mosquito samples this year.
