2nd Round Of Rhode Island Mosquito Spraying Given The Green Light

COVENTRY, RI — Rhode Island's second round of aerial mosquito spraying will happen on Wednesday night, the Department of Environmental Management confirmed Wednesday afternoon. Spraying will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until approximately 4 a.m. on Thursday.

Both areas identified as "critical risk" will be sprayed in one night, back-to-back. The two areas cover the central part of the state and the southwest corner. The first covers all of West Warwick and parts of Cranston, Warwick, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Coventry and Scituate. The second includes parts of Westerly, Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton and South Kingstown.

Spraying was initially planned for Monday, but bad weather in Massachusetts pushed off the schedule.

All mosquito spraying is weather dependent. In order to be successful, conditions must be calm with temperatures above 58 degrees. Changed weather conditions could alter the flight path as spraying is happening.

This is the second round of spraying in Rhode Island this year. Earlier this month, four targeted areas, two of which are being covered in the second round, were sprayed.

There have been three cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in Rhode Island this year, a rare but deadly mosquito-borne illness. One person died, while two others, a Charlestown resident and a 6-year-old girl from Coventry, were released from the hospital and are recovering. There have been several animal cases as well, including a horse in Westerly and several deer. There have been 11 cases of EEE in Massachusetts and four deaths so far this year.

The risk of EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses will continue until the first hard frost of the year. Rhode Island residents are asked to take precautions and avoid spending time outside during dusk and early morning hours, when mosquitoes are most active.