The battle against Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or “triple E”, rages on with a hard freeze being the only sure way to kill off the mosquitoes that carry the virus. Aerial insecticide treatments of 226,000 acres began last week, with more treatments scheduled for this week. Infection with EEE has serious neurological symptoms for both humans and animals.
Temperature plays a crucial factor in the treatment plan as the mosquitos don’t fly when it is below 50 degrees, but they don’t die until there is consistent nighttime temperatures below 28 degrees, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The urgency of the mosquito control has been ratcheted up with the first case of human infection of EEE being identified in Barry County. The infections in horses have increased to thirty, and the number of affected counties has increased. An infected deer was found in Allegan County.
Oakland and Genesee Counties are the regions closest to the Blue Water Area that are getting treated. No cases have been reported in St. Clair County. At least one case has been reported in Ontario, but not near the Michigan border.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
