RI recommends high schools reschedule sports because of mosquito risk

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PROVIDENCE – The state is advising residents and schools to consider rescheduling outdoor activities because of an elevated risk for mosquito-borne diseases in Rhode Island and neighboring states.

The "smart scheduling" recommendation suggests avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning or at dusk to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and catching diseases mosquitoes carry, including the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV).

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League and municipal officials have been advised of the recommendation, which was made by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Department of Health and their joint Mosquito Borne Disease Advisory Group.

RIIL Executive Director Michael P. Lunney sent a message to principals and athletic directors notifying them of the recommendation.

"The RIIL encourages all member schools to review the recommendations they have provided and take necessary precautions in coordination with school department and municipal response efforts regarding all community related sports and activities," Lunney said.

The most recent 121 samples collected from 22 mosquito traps set statewide on Aug. 8 and 13 confirmed no positive findings of WNV, EEE virus, or Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV), but previous testing has indicated a significant risk in Washington County and an elevated risk level throughout Rhode Island, according to the state agencies.

Earlier this summer, Rhode Island announced 17 EEE virus findings and five WNV findings. The state reported the season's first case of WNV in a human last week.

The state agencies say it's also "notable that EEE virus and WNV has been detected in several Massachusetts and Connecticut communities bordering Rhode Island." Connecticut announced 27 EEE virus findings, 192 WNV findings, one JCV finding, one human case of WNV, and an animal case of EEE virus in a deer. Massachusetts has announced 262 WNV findings, 69 EEE findings, one human case of EEE virus, one animal case of EEE virus, and two human cases of WNV.

How dangerous are mosquito-borne diseases?

EEE virus is extremely rare in humans but about 30% of people with EEE virus die, and many survivors have ongoing neurological problems, according to the state agencies. For more information on EEE virus and ways to prevent it, visit health.ri.gov/eee.

WNV is much more prevalent than EEE virus, but most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness. For more information about WNV, visit health.ri.gov/wnv.

JCV commonly causes fever, headache and fatigue, and it can also cause severe disease, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), according to the CDC.

In addition to smart scheduling, the state agencies recommend the following measures to protect and minimize mosquito breeding:

• Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning at sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus are most active). If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and use insect repellent.
• Use EPA-approved insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20%-30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or paramenthane. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
• Do not use insect repellent with DEET on infants under 2 months of age. Check the product label to find the concentration of DEET in a product. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents contain no more than 30% DEET when used on children. Children should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied on 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.