LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – County and state health officials have confirmed an Allegan County resident has been diagnosed with Eastern equine encephalitis, one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the country.
The victim, who has not been identified, was hospitalized in late August with a neurologic illness and is still being treated for that illness.
It’s the first such case of EEE in Michigan since 2016.
While rare in humans, one out of every three people who contract the disease die of it. Of those who survive, most often suffer permanent brain damage.
EEE is a virus that starts in birds but is spread by mosquitoes near swamps and bogs. People who contract the virus may experience fever, headache, chills and nausea. In some cases, symptoms may worsen to include inflammation of the brain, signaled by disorientation, seizures and coma.
Residents are urged to protect themselves by avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
If you are outdoors, wear light-colored, long-sleeve shirts and long pants, apply insect repellent with the active ingredient DEET to exposed skin or clothing, and empty water from common mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools or old tires.
For updates on EEE and other similar diseases such as West Nile Virus, go to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services emerging diseases website at Michigan.gov/emerging diseases.
