No West Nile Found R.I. Mosquito Tests

State environmental officials have not found West Nile virus in the latest round of mosquito tests in Rhode Island.

The state Department of Environmental Management said Tuesday that 178 mosquito samples from 39 traps set statewide on Aug. 24 came back negative for both West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis.

Results from 188 additional samples collected from 35 traps set on Aug. 31 are pending.

On Aug. 19, the agency reported that West Nile had been found in a sample of mosquitoes collected Aug. 12 in North Kingstown.

It was the first time the virus was found in Rhode Island this season.

The agency advises people to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses, including EEE, which has not been found in the region this year.