DEM announced Tuesday afternoon that a mosquito sample collected in Barrington on Aug. 21 tested positive for West Nile Virus. 

This was the state’s fourth sample that tested positive for West Nile Virus this summer. 

“WNV and EEE findings in mosquitoes are expected because mosquito-borne diseases become more prevalent in Southern New England as the season progresses,” stated a press release from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. “Although three of the four WNV detections originated at traps in Westerly, state officials stress that at this stage of mosquito season, it is likely present in mosquitoes statewide.”

To date, Massachusetts has announced 82 West Nile Virus findings and Connecticut has reported 63 WNV findings.

DEM officials are reminding people to protect themselves against mosquitos that may carry diseases. 

State officials said West Nile Virus will likely be prevalent for the rest of the season, until the first hard frost, when the air and the ground freeze below 32 degrees for three hours or below 28 degrees for two hours.

“There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick,” stated a press release from DEM. “About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.”

The state also announced its first mosquito sample that tested positive for EEE or Eastern Equine Encephalitis. That sample was taken in Glocester on Aug. 21.