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Health officials considering pesticides to combat mosquito-borne EEE

Seven people in Michigan have contracted the mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and three have died.
User: Oregon State University
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Flickr CC / http://bit.ly/1xMszCg
Seven people in Michigan have contracted the mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and three have died.
Credit User: Oregon State University / Flickr CC / http://bit.ly/1xMszCg
/
Flickr CC / http://bit.ly/1xMszCg

The state health department is considering the use of pesticides in areas that are affected by Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as Triple-E. It's a mosquito-borne virus that can be fatal for people.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reached out to local health officials in areas affected by the virus.

The health departments are discussing the use of aerial pesticides to stop the spread of the virus.

Eight people have gotten sick in Michigan this year and three people have died. Thirteen counties have reported confirmed cases in animals.

MDHHS spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin said in an email that final decisions about which areas might use the aerial pesticides have not yet been made.

The most recent data for Triple-E infections is below:

Human Cases

  • 8 cases
    • 3 Kalamazoo County (fatality)
    • 1 Berrien County
    • 1 Barry County
    • 1 Cass (fatality)
    • 1 Calhoun
    • 1 Van Buren (fatality) 


Additionally, Triple-E has been identified in 25 animals in Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph, Kent, and Van Buren.

Copyright 2019 Michigan Radio

Paulette is a blogger for Michigan Radio's State of Opportunity project, which looks at kids from low-income families and what it takes to get them ahead. She previously interned as a reporter in the Michigan Radio newsroom.
Paulette Parker
Paulette is a junior at Eastern Michigan University, majoring in media studies and journalism. She holds an Associate degree in Journalism from Washtenaw Community College, where she served as news editor of the student publication, The Washtenaw Voice.