DEM and the state Department of Health scientists have found West Nile Virus in Tiverton, bringing to 20 the number of samples that tested positive for the virus statewide this summer.

The Tiverton finding was one of three positives from 102 samples taken from 23 traps across the state on Tuesday, August 27. As a result, state officials have recommended that residents practice “smart scheduling” of outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours to help minimize the risk of bites.

The recent findings come a week aafter the state sprayed larvicide over 3,000 acres of the Chapman Swamp in Westerly and Great Swamp in South Kingston, to reduce mosquito populations there.

Rhode Island “will continue to evaluate the risk level statewide,” a DOH official said. “It is a particularly active mosquito season in Southern New England,” and West Nile Virus is likely present across the state.

West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States and is much more prevalent than Eastern Equine Encephalitis, which is also carried by mosquitos.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile in humans, but most people infected do not feel sick. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms and about one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

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