A Michigan resident infected with a dangerous disease from a mosquito

MICHIGAN – Health officials from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Allegan County Department of Health have confirmed an Eastern equine encephalitis infection in a resident of Allegan County . The person was hospitalized at the end of August with a neurological disease.

EEE is one of the most dangerous diseases transmitted by mosquitoes in the United States, with a mortality rate of 33%. The disease can often leave survivors with lasting brain damage.

The southwestern part of the state has had outbreaks of this mosquito-borne disease in humans and horses in the past, with the most recent outbreaks occurring in the early 1980s in the mid-1990s and in 2010. 2016, when three people were infected. Mosquito-borne diseases will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall, when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below freezing. Michigan residents are reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

"There are still many mosquitoes in Michigan," said Dr. Eden Wells, medical director of MDHHS. "When they are outside, Michigan residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites, including using a mosquito repellent and wearing trousers." long and long sleeves. "

Horse owners should note that EEE can also cause neurological diseases in horses. However, vaccination can protect horses against EEE infections.

The EEE is a bird virus that is spread by mosquitoes near marshes and peat bogs. Human cases are rare and only a few cases are reported each year in the United States. People with EEE can present with fever, headaches, chills, and nausea. In some cases, the symptoms may progress to inflammation of the brain, indicated by disorientation, convulsions and coma. Physicians who treat patients with these symptoms should consider screening for IAS and other mosquito-borne viruses and should report suspected cases to the local health department.

As a reminder, West Nile virus continues to cause disease among people across the state, with a total of 44 cases and two deaths reported to date. The WNV has also been identified in 149 mosquito basins, 115 birds and one horse throughout the state.

Measures to protect yourself include:

• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you're outside.
• Apply insect repellents containing the active ingredient DEET or another EPA approved product on exposed skin or clothing, always following the manufacturer's instructions for use.
• Use nets and / or fans on outdoor dining areas.
• Maintain screening of windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused ponds, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay.

For more information on EEE, visit the EEE website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the address Cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis.

For updates on equine and human cases of EEE, WNV, and other mosquito-borne diseases in Michigan, visit the Emerging Diseases website at Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

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