Health officials recommend rescheduling outdoor activities around mosquito risk
by: Leah Crowley, Alex Torres-Perez
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Health officials are advising schools, communities and members of the public to consider “smart scheduling” due to an elevated risk of mosquito-borne diseases in Rhode Island.
The recommendations come from Rhode Island’s Health and Environmental Management departments and the Mosquito-Borne Disease Advisory Group.
Smart scheduling means avoiding holding activities around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are the most active.
Health Department spokesperson Annemarie Beardsworth told 12 News officials have asked communities to move outdoor activities indoors before, but pointed out that this year is a bit different.
“We are seeing some of this mosquito activity and some of those positive tests for the disease in humans and animals a little bit earlier this year, about two weeks earlier than we would normally expect to see it,” she explained.
So far this season, there have been 17 Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus findings and five West Nile virus (WNV) findings in Rhode Island with at least one human case of WNV. Washington County specifically is considered to be at significant risk.
In Massachusetts, there have been 69 EEE findings and 262 WNV findings. There have also been two human cases of WNV, one human case of EEE, and one animal case of EEE in the Bay State. Connecticut has confirmed 27 EEE findings, 192 WNV findings, and one finding of the Jamestown Canyon virus. There has been one human case of WNV and one animal case of EEE in Connecticut.
In a statement, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League said it has been in contact with health officials and all member schools to review the recommendations and take necessary precautions.
The statement reads in part, “Member schools are also encouraged to contact [the Rhode Island Department of Health] directly at 401-222-2577 if you need any additional support or have questions specific to your location/facilities.”
While the Health Department’s recommendations are not mandated, Beardsworth said schools are taking the advice.
“As in previous years, they are very willing and able to do this,” Beardsworth said. “It may involve a little bit of reorganizing in schedules, but schools have been willing to do this because it is something that is important to protect their players and their staff.”
To further help prevent mosquito bites, experts said you should remove any standing water from around your home and wear an EPA-approved bug spray if you are going outside during peak biting times.
Locations are not exact and are meant to illustrate findings by community. Source: RI DEM/RI DOH, MA DPH