Bird in Antrim County Infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Residents asked to protect themselves from mosquito bites
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) was informed that a sick fledgling osprey was found near the Central Lake Elementary School baseball field. Within 24 hours of being taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, the osprey died and was taken to the Michigan Department of Natural Resource’s lab for testing. It was found to be infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
When discovered, the osprey was about 200 yards from the nest, unable to fly, dazed, and wandering. The nest was on top of lights at the baseball field behind the school. Infection in both people and animals occurs through the bite of an infected mosquito. This discovery indicates that the EEE virus is here in northern Michigan.
Be Proactive
Residents are being reminded by HDNW to protect themselves from mosquito bites, as people can also become infected. EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with a 33 percent fatality rate among people who become ill. The fatality rate in birds and other animals varies.
EEE is not spread person-to-person. Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, and body and joint aches. Illness can eventually develop into severe encephalitis, which involves swelling in the brain caused by infection or an autoimmune response. It can also result in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma, and death may occur in some cases.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved products, to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Avoid being outside during peak mosquito activity between dusk and dawn.
- Use windows and doors with well-maintained screens.
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
- Use nets and/or fans over outdoor seating areas.
To protect animals:
- Put farm animals in the barn during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
- Check with your vet on whether EEE vaccinations are available for your animals.
- Use an insect repellant on the animals approved for the species.
- Again, eliminate standing water on your property.
Mosquito-borne illness will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall when nighttime temperatures consistently fall below freezing. For more information, go to Weekly Arbovirus Summary also found at https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.
Latest News
