Michigan: 7 confirmed human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis including 3 deaths

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,588...5643--,00.html
Cases of mosquito-borne disease suspected in Michigan residents
Eastern Equine Encephalitis continues to be a threat in Southwest Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 26, 2019

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. ? Michigan residents are being reminded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to protect themselves from mosquito bites following the confirmation of one case of a mosquito-borne disease in a resident and three other possible cases in the state.

Three cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are now suspected in residents from Kalamazoo and Berrien counties. In addition, a case of California encephalitis virus has been confirmed in a Genesee County resident.

As of Aug. 26, six cases of EEE have been confirmed in horses in Barry, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. None of the horses were vaccinated against EEE and all animals have died. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people. In addition, two deer in Barry and Cass counties have been diagnosed with EEE.

?Mosquito-borne diseases can cause long-term health effects in people and even death,? said Dr. Mary Grace Stobierski, MDHHS state public health veterinarian and manager of the Zoonotic and Emerging Infectious Diseases Section. ?These cases, along with confirmed cases in horses and deer in the state, stress the importance of taking precautions against mosquito bites.?

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 and a 90 percent fatality rate in horses that become ill. People can be infected with EEE or California group encephalitis viruses from the bite of a mosquito carrying the viruses.

Residents can stay healthy by following steps to avoid mosquito bites:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved product 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.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
• 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 eating areas.

Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches. Symptoms of California encephalitis virus include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and lethargy.
Both diseases can develop into severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases.
Additionally, West Nile Virus activity in Michigan has increased in wildlife and mosquito populations. Health officials have identified 18 positive mosquito pools and eight infected birds in the Lower Peninsula. No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported. Mosquito-borne illness will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall when nighttime temperatures consistently fall below freezing.
For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.fox5dc.com/news/michigan...-borne-illness

Michigan teen hospitalized with suspected case of mosquito-borne illness
Published 7 hours ago
FOX News

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The family of a 14-year-old girl in Michigan has identified her as one the three suspected cases of a rare mosquito-borne illness announced by state health officials on Monday, and said that as of Tuesday she was on a ventilator in the hospital.

?We had some visitors this morning, a small team came in and put a feeding tube in Savanah's stomach rather than having a tub in her nose,? the ?#SavanahStrong? Facebook page, which is dedicated to keeping Savanah DeHart?s supporters updated, said on Tuesday. ?This is something completely normal as they are trying to prevent her from getting sinusitis (infection in her sinuses). They think this is the best option for now and it doesn?t have to be permanent.?...

[Pathfinder]

MDHHS reports four new cases of mosquito-borne disease and two additional deaths in Southwest Michigan

State taking action to prevent further Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 17, 2019
CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

LANSING, Mich. ? State residents are being strongly advised by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to protect themselves from mosquito bites as four additional cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been confirmed in Southwest Michigan ? including two that were fatal.

MDHHS is taking further action to protect the public health as the mosquito-borne disease remains a threat that has now resulted in seven confirmed human cases of EEE in Michigan with onset dates in July. The new cases expand the geographic area affected by human EEE cases to include Barry, Cass and Van Buren counties, along with previously identified cases in Kalamazoo and Berrien counties. Two of these additional cases, in Cass and Van Buren counties, were fatal, as was an earlier case in Kalamazoo County.

MDHHS is encouraging local officials in the five Southwest Michigan counties that have been impacted by human EEE cases and St. Joseph, Genesee and Lapeer counties ? which have had animal EEE cases ? to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, particularly activities that involve children. This would include events such as late evening sports practices or games or outdoor music practices. The MDHHS recommendation is being made out of an abundance of caution to protect the public health and applies until the first hard frost of the year.

The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department also issued a recommendation to local municipalities and schools to consider cancelling outdoor events or moving them inside if they are scheduled at or after dusk.

?Michigan is currently experiencing its worst Eastern Equine Encephalitis outbreak in more than a decade,? said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. ?The ongoing cases reported in humans and animals and the severity of this disease illustrate the importance of taking precautions against mosquito bites.?

All Michigan residents can stay healthy by following these steps to avoid mosquito bites:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered product 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.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
• 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 eating areas.

Infections can occur even when mosquito bite numbers are low.

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 the bite of a mosquito carrying the viruses. Persons younger than age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection.

Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches which can progress to a severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their physician?s office.

In addition to the human cases, as of Sept. 16, nine cases of EEE in horses had been confirmed in Barry, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, and St. Joseph counties. None of the horses were vaccinated against EEE and all animals have died. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people. Also, five deer in Barry, Cass, Genesee, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties have been confirmed with EEE infection and were euthanized due to the severity of their disease symptoms.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,588...7956--,00.html