Michigan will spray in 14 counties to fight the deadly mosquito virus

Lansing – Michigan and local health departments will be conducting an aerial spraying for the first time since 1980 to combat a rare virus transmitted by a mosquito, which killed three people and was recorded in the southern half of the United States. State.

Aerial spraying is expected to begin Sunday and will affect 14 counties where eastern equine encephalitis has been confirmed in humans or animals. The weather can determine the actual spray program.

Sprays will be held in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. All have had EEE cases in humans, animals or both.

Other states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have recently performed aerial sprays.

Michigan encourages affected county officials to consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities in the evening, until there is freezing cold.

The pesticide used is Merus 3.0, an organic pesticide containing 5% pyrethrin, chemicals naturally found in some chrysanthemum flowers. It is a mixture of six insect-toxic chemicals commonly used to control mosquitoes, fleas, flies, mites, ants and many other pests. Pyrethrins have been registered for use in pesticides since the 1950s.

The number of deaths and illnesses caused by the virus in the United States is higher than usual this year.