NEW: EEE Death in RI Confirmed - Spraying to Continue Monday Night

NEW: EEE Death in RI Confirmed - Spraying to Continue Monday Night

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Monday announced that an individual in their 50s has died from EEE -- and more spraying will take place Monday evening.

"On August 30th the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced the state’s first human case of EEE since 2010 in an individual in their 50s from West Warwick. At that time, it was announced that this individual was in critical condition. This individual passed away on September 8th. This was Rhode Island’s first fatal human EEE case since 2007," said the Dept. of Health.

Health Release

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The Department of Health sent the following on Monday:

The dispersal of aerial mosquito treatments in four areas that state officials have determined to be at critical risk for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus will continue Monday night.  On Sunday night and early Monday morning, spraying was done in all of West Warwick and parts of Coventry, Cranston, Warwick, East Greenwich, and West Greenwich; as well as all of Central Falls, Pawtucket, and North Providence and parts of Providence, East Providence, Smithfield, Lincoln, and Cumberland.

Spraying in northern Rhode Island (parts of Burrillville, North Smithfield, and Woonsocket) was not completed on Sunday night due to falling temperatures. (The effectiveness of spraying is limited when the temperature falls below58 degrees.) Spraying in these northern areas, and parts of southern Rhode Island (parts of Westerly, Hopkinton, and Charlestown) is planned for tonight. Spraying will start at dusk tonight and will be completed by 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will provide more details on the timing when the flight plan is finalized. A map with the areas that have been sprayed, and that will be sprayed, is attached. EEE is a rare, but serious illness that spreads when people are bitten by infected mosquitoes. 

Two mosquito detections of EEE have occurred in Central Falls and two have occurred in Westerly. A horse was also diagnosed with EEE in Westerly. In addition, several EEE cases and positive mosquitoes have been detected in Connecticut and Massachusetts, some in areas that border Rhode Island. Generally, spraying in Rhode Island is occurring in four-mile radiuses around positive samples and cases. The pesticide that is being applied, Anvil 10+10, is being used at very low concentrations. Spraying will not occur over fish hatcheries, certified organic farms, surface drinking water supplies, and other open water bodies and coastal areas. Massachusetts officials used the same product in recent aerial spraying in Bristol, Plymouth, Worcester, and other counties. Anvil is registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for this use. The product being sprayed is being used at very low concentrations. No adverse health risks are expected with its use for mosquito control.

Nonetheless, while spraying is occurring, it is best to err on the side of caution and limit time outdoors and keep windows closed. It is generally good for people to limit their exposure to pesticides. More information on health and spraying is available here. For FAQs on the impact of spraying on pets and livestock, click here.