UPDATE:
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — After a weather-related delay, aerial spraying is planned in four Michigan counties to combat a rare mosquito-borne virus.
The state health department says areas in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties are first on the list Monday night. Spraying in 10 other counties hasn't been scheduled yet.
It's the first aerial treatments in Michigan since 1980. The eastern equine encephalitis virus has been confirmed in humans or animals in southern and southwestern Michigan. There have been three human deaths.
The state says the virus has been identified in at least 30 animals in 15 counties.
The cities of Kalamazoo and Portage have been scratched from the spraying list because of local opposition.
ORIGINAL POST:
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan health officials have delayed aerial spraying to combat a rare mosquito-borne virus due to weekend rainfall.
The spraying was set to begin Sunday to fight the eastern equine encephalitis virus, which has killed three people and been recorded across the southern half of the state.
But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Sunday night that the inclement weather had forced a postponement of those plans. The agency says it plans to begin its spraying for the mosquito-borne virus Monday night, depending on weather.
Officials announced Friday that Michigan and local health departments in 14 counties would conduct spraying for the first time since 1980 to combat the virus, which has been confirmed in humans or animals in the southern half of the state.
