(SANILAC COUNTY) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Laboratories has
confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) eight cases of EEE in residents of Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties, including three deaths.
“The increasing geographic spread and increasing number of EEE cases in humans and animals indicate that the risk for EEE is ongoing,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health.
“We continue to urge Michiganders to protect themselves against mosquito bites until the first hard frost.”
Additionally, testing at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as of Sept. 20th, has confirmed EEE in 21 animals from 11 counties: Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Montcalm, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people.
The Sanilac County Health Department is encouraging local officials in affected and bordering
counties to consider postponing, rescheduling, cancelling and/or relocating outdoor activities
indoors that occur at or after dusk, particularly activities that involve children.
This would include events such as late evening sports practices or games or outdoor music practices. This
coincides with the MDHHS recommendation which is being made out of an abundance of caution to protect the public health and applies until the first hard frost of the year.
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.
Across Michigan, residents can stay healthy by following steps to avoid mosquito bites:
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency-approved 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.
Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches which can progress
to severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis.
Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases.
For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emerging diseases .
