By Associated Press - Friday, September 27, 2019

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island officials say the latest mosquito samples tested negative for both eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

The environmental management and health departments said Friday that 78 samples sent to the state health laboratory tested negative for both mosquito-borne diseases.

The agencies are still urging residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites until the first hard frost, which often occurs in October.



There have been three human cases of eastern equine encephalitis this year in Rhode Island, including one fatality.

In Massachusetts, three residents have died of the virus. Two Connecticut residents have died of the virus.

Rhode Island officials do not plan to do any additional aerial spraying this year.

West Nile has been detected in two mosquito samples.

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