At least seven Michigan counties will be aerially sprayed Monday night to kill off mosquitos carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a potentially deadly disease.
Weather-permitting, six other counties south and east of Lansing will be sprayed as well, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
The scheduled sprays will take place in Allegan, Barry, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana Counties. Areas in Calhoun, Jackson, Livingston and Oakland counties may also be sprayed.
This map shows the planned areas that will be aerially sprayed against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) on Monday, Sept. 21.
The announcement came after the total number of animal cases of EEE in Michigan hit 32. Thirty were identified in horses, and two in deer. EEE is a potentially fatal disease, found in animals and human, and carried by mosquitos.
One human case has been identified in Barry County.
An EEE vaccine is available for horses, but not for people. Last year, 10 people in Michigan were infected and six died from the virus, which has a 33 percent fatality rate in people who become ill, according to MDHHS. People under the age of 15, and older than 50, are at greatest risk of severe disease after infection.
Symptoms of EEE include fever, chills, and body and joint aches. This can progress to severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis.
Last year, the state health department proposed aerial spraying but were met by civilian resistance. Monday’s round of aerial spraying comes a week after 10 Michigan counties were sprayed.
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