Health officials in Michigan are urging people to stay indoors after 10 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne Eastern equine encephalitis in 22 horses and one suspected human case.
The Michigan Department of Health confirmed 22 horse cases in 10 counties and one suspected human case in Barry County as of Wednesday, the department said in an announcement.
Officials said they would begin air treatment Wednesday night in some high-risk areas of the state to prevent the spread of eastern equine encephalitis.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is also urging people in Berry County, as well as Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, McCosta, Montcal, County, Navigo and Auckland counties to cancel or postpone evening outdoor events. More people than contracted the virus, according to USA Today.
“MDHHS continues to encourage local authorities in affected countries to suspend, reschedule or cancel outdoor activities that take place during or after dusk, especially those involving children, to reduce the likelihood of people being bitten by mosquitoes,” said Dr. Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health, in a statement, according to USA Today.
According to the Michigan Department of Health, Eastern Equine Encephalitis U.S. Is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases. People under the age of 15 or over the age of 50 have the highest risk of serious disease following an infection, and those who work and play outside in the affected areas have the highest risk of being bitten, the department says.
The department said the 22 cases reported in horses were more than double the same time last year. More than 25 percent of the country’s eastern equine encephalitis patients were diagnosed in Michigan last year, according to the state.
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