MIDDLEVILLE, Mich. — Warnings about a potentially deadly disease spread by mosquitos now include more west Michigan counties
The disease is Eastern Equine Encephalitis or EEE.
Kalamazoo and Berrien Counties were already in the warning area. The State Department of Health and Human Services is adding Cass, Van Buren and Barry counties to the list, bringing the total to eight.
There have been seven human infections and three deaths since July. The state is advising people in the warning areas to wear long sleeves and pants, protect themselves with deet fortified bug spray and limit time outside after dark.
On the Thornapple River Trail in Middleville, people were taking precautions Tuesday evening.
“There can be a lot of mosquitos, sometimes to the point where you want to turn around and go back anyway,” says Dave Brondesma.” I will probably wear bug spray more often and be a lot more conscious if I see mosquitos nearby.”
The State Department of Health suggests people in the warning areas take precautions until the first frost kills this year’s mosquito population.
“There have been deaths from this, so I am certainly going to be cautious and tell everybody I know that it’s a real thing,” says Janet Arizola.
Signs and Symptoms
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.
Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches which can progress to a severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their physician’s office.
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