By David Fleet
Editor
Oakland County is one of ten areas statewide that will receive aerial mosquito control treatment due to a high-risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week. In addition to Oakland, Barry, Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo counties will also be impacted.

Additional areas may be selected for treatment if new human or animal cases occur outside of the currently identified zones.
Treatment is scheduled to occur starting the evening of Sept. 16. However, treatment can only take place under certain weather conditions, so the schedule may need to change.
As of Sept. 13, EEE has been confirmed in 22 horses in 10 counties in Michigan. Additional animal cases are under investigation. This is twice as many animal cases as the same time last year.
To date, no human cases have been identified. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people.
In order to prevent the loss of life and protect public health, MDHHS has determined a targeted aerial treatment plan is necessary. When there are high rates of animal infections, humans are just as at risk.
EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, with a 33-percent fatality rate in people who become ill. People can be infected with EEE from one bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. Persons younger than age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection. More than 25 percent of the nation’s EEE cases last year were diagnosed in Michigan.
“We are taking this step in an effort to protect the health and safety of Michiganders in areas of the state where we know mosquitoes are carrying this potentially deadly disease,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “As people are spending more time outdoors because of COVID-19, they also need to be protecting themselves from mosquito bites.”
Residents who have known sensitivities to pyrethrins can reduce potential for exposure by staying indoors during the treatment.
Last year more than 557,000 Michigan acres were treated with the same pesticide.