EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS - USA (29): (MICHIGAN)

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ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: Mon 13 Sep 2010

Source: The Oakland Press, Associated Press (AP) report [edited]







Health officials are reminding people to be vigilant about taking

steps to prevent the spread of eastern equine encephalitis in

Michigan.



The Kalamazoo Gazette reports there have been recent reports of 7

more dead horses from the disease. They include 2 in Calhoun County

and 1 each in Allegan, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Eaton, and Shiawassee

counties.



Lab testing in recent months has confirmed 42 Michigan horses with

the mosquito borne disease. Another 77 have been diagnosed with

clinical signs.



The disease is rare but can be deadly among humans. Last month

[August 2010], Michigan health officials reported that lab tests

confirmed that 3 people contracted the disease.



Health officials say people should take steps to avoid being bitten

by mosquitoes and horses should be vaccinated.



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[The state of Michigan in the Great Lakes Region of the US can be

located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at

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The counties mentioned are located in southern Michigan and can be

seen on the map at

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Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is preventable. In horses, it

requires at least 2 initial vaccinations and then boosters every 6

months in areas likely to have active disease. The protective titer

of the EEE vaccine wanes quicker than other equine encephalitis

titers.



Mosquito repellents made for horses can be used on the animals in

accordance with the label directions.



Human beings should dress accordingly, wearing long sleeves, avoiding

dusk and dawn exposure when mosquitoes may be more active, and using

insect repellant with DEET. Elimination of mosquito breeding sites is

critical to reducing the mosquito population. Small puddles, such as

those inside of an old tire, or a constant puddle in the garden or

flower bed, or even unclean water buckets for pets or horses can

serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.



The disease is generally preventable in human beings and in pets. - Mod.TG]



[see also:

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (28): (MI, FL) 20100907.3202

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (26): (MI, FL) equine, human 20100901.3115

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (24): (NY, MI) equine, cervid 20100827.3045

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (23): (MI) 20100824.2975

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (19): (MI) equine, human susp. 20100817.2850

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (16): (MI) 20100814.2790

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (10): (MA, MI) 20100728.2529]

...................................sb/tg/mj/lm



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