The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced Sunday, August 13, that West Nile Virus has been found in a dead crow. The bird was collected in Warwick on August 8 and was tested at the University of Rhode Island’s virology laboratory. Test results were received by DEM late Sunday.

“Today’s positive indication of West Nile Virus in Warwick is not unexpected, with positive results already turning up to our south in Connecticut and to our north in Massachusetts,” said Governor Lincoln Almond. “With this indication, we have put into effect our local response plan which includes recommending limited ground spraying.”

In light of the finding, and in accordance with the state’s WNV Action Plan, public education emphasizing personal protection will be intensified, DEM will adjust its mosquito surveillance locations by adding additional traps in the area, and DEM will recommend ground spraying of populated areas within a two-mile radius of where the crow was found.

West Nile information for Rhode Island can be found o nthe HEALTH and DEM web sites, www.health.state.ri.us, and/or www.state.ri.us/DEM