BAY CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan has found its first case of mosquitos infected with a deadly disease after the state buzzed past “National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.” 

To date, only one mosquito grouping from Bay County has tested positive for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), a disease that claims the lives of roughly 30% of the affected and can include symptoms of high fever, headache, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, bluish discoloration of the skin, convulsions, and coma. 

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While more than 10,000 mosquitos have been tested, there are currently no positive cases of EEE in animals or humans. 

“Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. There is no vaccine to prevent EEE virus infection. The best way to prevent EEE is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors,” according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian warned the public about the risk to those affected in a statement. 

“EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, with a 33% fatality rate in people who become ill,” Bagdasarian said.

Michiganders are also encouraged to attempt prevention through using secure and intact screens on windows to keep the insect out of the home.  Additionally, avoid letting standing water accumulate in yards or homes in places such as flower pots, buckets, barrels, or tires as mosquitos choose to lay eggs in those places. 

Despite the absence of a vaccine for humans, vaccines are available for horses to protect against EEE and West Nile virus.  Still, the MDHHS is encouraging people to report cases of human or animal contraction to the proper authorities. 

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The number of human cases in the state has gone down significantly in the past several years with the height in 2019, when there were 10 confirmed human cases and just above 50% died.  In 2020, two people died after there were four cases of the virus. Only one case occurred in 2021, and there were no human cases of EEE in 2022.