West Nile Risk Elevated in RI Amid Positive Tests

Rhode Island's West Nile virus risk has been elevated to 'high' following the detection of seven positive mosquito samples in Providence County. These findings, reported in East Providence, North Providence, and Providence, mark the largest number of positive tests this mosquito season. While no human cases of West Nile have been reported in Rhode Island this year, the state health and environmental departments have issued alerts. The positive samples were collected from mosquitoes of the Culex genus, commonly known as typical mosquitoes.

This increase in positive samples occurred during the week of July 19 through July 25, when 155 mosquito pools were tested. The first positive West Nile sample of 2026 was identified in Providence the week of June 28 to July 4. A subsequent positive sample was found in Cranston from a different mosquito species. State officials are advising residents to take precautions, such as using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing during peak mosquito activity.