LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Health officials in Michigan are confirming that aerial spray treatments for the virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, has concluded.
According to an official press release, the spray treatments covered more than 557,000 acres targeting 14 counties. Although residents in Kalamazoo County had opted out of the treatment, Fort Custer Training Center, which sits in both Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, was treated.
“In one year, we have had more human EEE cases confirmed than in the past decade,” chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. “We chose to conduct aerial treatment to protect the health and safety of Michiganders. We also continue to urge communities and residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the risk of EEE remains until the first hard frost.”
The news comes as the tenth case of EEE has been reported in a human, along with five additional cases in horses. Health officials have confirmed that the virus was contracted before aerial spray treatments began.
Additional aerial treatments are not planned at this time. Although mosquitoes are expected to die off once the first seasonal hard frost hits Michigan, residents are still advised to take proper precautions against mosquitoes.
- Avoiding being outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitos that carry the EEE virus are most active.
- Applying 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.
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintaining window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
- Emptying water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
- Using nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.
More information is available at Michigan.gov/EEE.
