Routine mosquito-borne disease surveillance conducted by the Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement Commission (SCMAC) has detected evidence of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE). An August 14th mosquito collection from Jonesfield Township tested positive for EEE. In response, additional control efforts have already been implemented to reduce adult mosquitoes in the area.
EEE is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird or other animal host. Most people infected with EEE do not develop symptoms. When symptoms do become evident, they include sudden onset of flu-like illness with fever. Severe cases, although rare, may develop neurologic symptoms such as meningitis or encephalitis requiring hospitalization. Unfortunately, people with encephalitis due to EEE have a 30% fatality rate.
EEE is quite severe in horses, with mortality rates of 90% when infected. Fortunately, there are EEE vaccinations available for horses as well as for West Nile virus.
This most recent detection, is in addition to recent West Nile virus activity and the early summer collection of Jamestown Canyon virus. While the threat of mosquito-borne virus infection in Saginaw County remains low, precautions should be taken to avoid mosquito biting activity.
The best way to prevent mosquito-borne disease is to protect yourself and family from mosquito bites:
- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
- When outdoors wear shoes and socks, light colored long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET or other EPA-approved products according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
- Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
- Eliminate all sources of standing water around the yard that can support mosquito breeding, including water in buckets, wading pools, old tires, and any other object that may collect water. Contact SCMAC to report standing water in roadside ditches, flooded yards, fields, or similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.
SCMAC maintains an aggressive control effort throughout the summer, targeting areas that favor the mosquito vectors responsible for transmitting mosquito-borne disease. Control efforts have been ongoing throughout the County for other mosquito nuisance as well.
SCMAC will continue to monitor mosquito-borne viruses through the end of September. Saginaw County residents are encouraged to take appropriate measures to avoid mosquitoes and to please report dead crows or blue jays online at www.saginawmosquito.com, call (989) 755-5751, or use our notification app. These birds are valuable for West Nile Virus surveillance as they suffer a high mortality from the virus. Visit saginawmosquito.com/prevent for more information.
