COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency concurs with recommendations by state health officials concerning the increase of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases in southwest Michigan.
As of Thursday, there have been no confirmed human cases of EEE in St. Joseph, Branch, or Hillsdale counties but there have been three confirmed horse cases of the disease in St. Joseph County and all three animals died.
Health Officer Rebecca Burns reminds all St. Joseph County residents to, “be vigilant about protecting yourself and your family members from mosquito bites, especially those 15 years old and younger and those that are 50 years old and older who are more likely to develop a severe case of the EEE disease.”
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare virus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. In Southwest Michigan, there have been seven human cases of EEE confirmed with three resulting in death. The human cases have been reported in Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo and Barry Counties. The Battle Creek Enquirer reported on Thursday that a local family is 99.9 percent certain that their father has contracted the disease. 79-year-old Stan Zalner has fallen into a coma after being hospitalized three weeks ago.
Out of an abundance of caution, health officials are recommending that evening outdoor activities be cancelled, postponed or rescheduled in the areas affected by the outbreak in order to prevent mosquito bites. That recommendation applies until the first hard frost hits.
As of Thursday morning, the only Branch County events affected are junior varsity football games in Bronson and Quincy. Both school districts have decided to move up the start time for Thursday night’s games with Bronson hosting Three RIvers freshman team and Reading at Quincy to 5:30 p.m.. Additionally, the start and/or end times for other athletic events or practices may be changed.
The Friday varsity football games with Three Rivers at Sturgis and Centerville at White Pigeon have had their kickoff times moved up to 5:00 p.m..
As of Thursday morning, there have been no changes involving Branch County varsity high school games for Friday night.
