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Aerial treatment is a go for Oct. 3; will include several Michigan counties

Aerial treatment is a go for Oct. 3; will include several Michigan counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2019           

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – With more than 186,000 acres completed, a third night of aerial treatment to combat Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is underway, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced.

Areas completed include Area 3-1 in Berrien County, Areas 5-1 and 5-2 in Cass County, Areas 12-1, 12-2 and 12-3 in St. Joseph County and 13-1 in Van Buren County. Area 2-1 in Barry County was partially completed and will again be on tonight’s schedule.

The areas slated for treatment tonight are identified in the Aerial Treatment Zones Map and include:

  • Areas 1-1 and 1-2 in Allegan County.
  • Area 2-1 in Barry County.
  • Area 4-1 in Calhoun County.
  • Area 13-2 and 13-3 in Van Buren County.
  • Area 4-2 in Calhoun County. (weather alternative)
  • Areas 6-1 and 6-2 in Jackson County. (weather alternative)
  • Areas 8-1 and 8-2 in Kent County. (weather alternative)
  • Areas 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 in Montcalm County. (weather alternative)
  • Area 11-1 in Newaygo County. (weather alternative)

Weather alternatives are areas that may be treated if there is inclement weather in one part of the state, but not in that area. Please refer to the County-level Aerial Treatment Maps for more details of the identified zones’ locations. These schedules are weather dependent and may change. All other treatment zones will not be treated this evening.

Aerial treatment will continue, depending on weather, until all areas of risk are treated or there is a hard frost sufficient to kill these mosquitos.

As of Oct. 2, EEE has been confirmed in nine people, with four fatalities. Cases are in Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. In addition, cases have occurred in 33 animals from 15 counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. The mosquitos that spread EEE are still active and were caught in traps set Oct. 1 in southwest Michigan.

More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available at Michigan.gov/EEE.  

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