Middletown To Conduct Mosquito Treatements

Middletown, RI —Storm drainage basins in Middletown are scheduled to receive mosquito treatments as the town looks to curb the prevalence of Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus this summer.

The RI Department of Health said species of mosquitoes that carry WNV and EEE are found in Rhode Island and bite until the first heavy frost (usually the end of October). The species of mosquitoes that carry Zika Virus are not known to be in Rhode Island any time of year. Everyone who participates in outdoor activities should take actions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

In Massachusetts, the state's first human case of EEE this season was reported in Middleboro on Monday.

Middleboro Town Manager Robert Nunes said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed the town of the positive diagnosis, and that all outdoor activities on town property are prohibited from dusk until dawn. Mosquitoes positive for EEE have also been found in the neighboring town of Carver.

The Department of Public Health said the person is a boy under 18 years old.