KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WWJ) -- Health officials in southwest Michigan are exploring the next steps in combating the outbreak of a deadly mosquito-borne virus that has claimed at least three lives in the area.
The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, along with neighboring counties, are in conversations with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services about potentially applying an insecticide that targets adult mosquitoes via airplane in problematic locations in Southwest Michigan.
Officials say the action would be taken to reduce the population of mosquitoes known to carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), in order to mitigate the ongoing public health risk.
MDHHS has presented the option to Kalamazoo County and other at-risk, neighboring counties and officials are discussing where the best locations may be to target, as well as the risk-factors and best methods.
Officials say the risk of exposure to mosquitoes carrying EEE is high as temperatures remain warm between the hours of dusk to dawn. The insecticide would potentially be sprayed aerially between dusk and dawn, when the mosquitoes that carry EEE are active, according to the MDHHS.
"While we continue to have discussions with our partners at the state regarding spraying, we strongly encourage residents to continue to take precautions such as using insect repellent with DEET, as well as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during the peak mosquito-biting hours which are dusk to dawn." said James Rutherford, Health Officer of Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, according to a press release.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 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 and a 90 percent fatality rate in horses that become ill. Early symptoms of EEE include the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, body and joint aches. Symptoms usually appear 4-10 days after exposure. EEE can develop into severe encephalitis (brain swelling), resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases.
There have been eight confirmed human cases of EEE in Michigan, dating back to August, and at least three people have died.
Residents are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Officials say to take the following precautions:
- Using EPA registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone; follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed.
- Don't use repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
- Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors.
- Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
- Using bed nets when sleeping outdoors or in conditions with no window screens.
- Eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding around your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires and any other object holding water once a week.
- Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas
