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State health officials report two more people have died of a mosquito-terminal disease in West Michigan, with three fatalities so far this year connected to the illness.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported two people died from Eastern equine encephalitis. The two fatalities stemmed from the new cases of the disease confirmed in the region, according to a press release from department.
The latest cases bring the total number of confirmed human cases in the state to seven, three of which were fatal, MDHHS said. State officials are encouraging local leaders in the following counties to consider postponing, rescheduling or canceling outdoor activities, particularly those involving children, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, St. Joseph and Van Buren.
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"Michigan is currently experiencing its worst outbreak in the world," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical officer and chief deputy for health. "The ongoing cases reported in humans and the severity of this disease illustrate the importance of taking precautions against mosquito bites."
Human cases of EEE have been confirmed in Barry, Cass, Van Buren, Berrien and Kalamazoo counties.
The two more recent fatalities occurred in Van Buren and Cass counties, according to state officials. The prior fatality occurred in Kalamazoo County.
Residents are encouraged to postpone outdoor activities at or after dusk. This precaution applies to the first year of the year, MDHHS said. People who engage in outdoor and recreational activities where the virus is found to be at increased risk of infection. Those over 50 and under 15 appear to be at the greatest risk for developing severe disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to the human cases, as of Sept. 16, nine fatal cases of EEE in horses had been confirmed in Barry, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, and St. Joseph counties. Also, five deer in Barry, Cass, Genesee, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren have been confirmed with EEE infection and have been euthanized due to the severity of their disease symptoms.
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They can be affected by paralysis, stupor, lethargy and incoordination, the DNR said.
The virus largely affects humans because it is often found in areas where human populations tend to be limited, according to the CDC.
Only 4-5% of people will get sick when infected with the virus, according to information provided by MDHHS. Those infected usually do not show symptoms; however, those who will develop chills, fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain.
Less than 1% of people who are infected will develop a serious neurological illness that causes inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues, according to MDDHS.
About 30% of people who develop neurological infection due to Eastern equine encephalitis will die, according to MDDHS.
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