CASS COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Health officials are reporting that the tenth victim of the mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis has died, making the fifth EEE death this year.
72-year-old Henry Hess of Cass County had contracted the virus before aerial spray treatments in West Michigan had begun. This is the second victim in Cass County to die from the infection.
Another animal case has been reported in Allegan County, which was detected in a horse. Officials have also confirmed the presence of EEE in a deer found in Trowbridge Township.
Although the first hard frost of the season is expected to kill most mosquitoes, officials are still warning citizens to take proper precautions against mosquito bites.
- 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.
