KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — State health officials are calling this the worst outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in more than a decade, and they’re contemplating taking a controversial approach to stop the spread of it.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reached out to the counties that have reported cases of EEE in animals or humans to consider using aerial spraying of pesticides.
At last reported, human cases have been confirmed in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Van Buren, Barry, Cass and Berrien counties and animal cases have been found in Genesee, Jackson, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo, and St. Joseph.
Three people have died from EEE so far in Southwest Michigan.
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners weighed in on this issue at their meeting on Tuesday after MDHHS spokesperson Lynn Sutfin brought up the recommendation of aerial spraying.
Several commissioners seemed against the idea with some people voicing their concerns of the side effects spraying may have on other insects.
State health officials say they may provide help, but overall the final decision is up to each affected county. Officials also have to consider that by the time an aerial spreading plan is in place, the first freeze may have already came, killing off a majority of the mosquitoes.
No final decision has been made yet and other counties are also considering the action.
According to MDHHS, “EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, with a 33 percent fatality rate in people who become ill. People can be infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the viruses. Persons younger than age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection.”
However, they add that, “Only about 4-5% of human EEE infections result in EEE illness. EEE infection is thought to confer life-long immunity against re-infection.”
MDHHS also released some tips on how to avoid mosquito bites:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
- Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.
More information can be found here.
