Residents of Kalamazoo County urged to exercise caution against mosquito-borne diseases

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Residents of Kalamazoo County need to be careful about the spread of disease by mosquitoes.

Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, was found in a pool of Barry County mosquitoes and a Livingston County horse this summer, the Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services said in A press release.

Related: Michigan’s first mosquito with eastern equine encephalitis discovered in 2021

No IAS have been reported in Kalamazoo County, but residents still need to take precautions, the department said.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit a virus,” environmental health division chief Vern Johnson said. “I strongly encourage people to limit the time they spend outdoors at dusk and dawn, the main feeding times for mosquitoes.”

Diseases like West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus have also been found in Michigan, the statement said.

If people are outside at dusk and dawn, they should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes, the statement said.

These precautions include using an insect repellent containing DEET, wearing long pants and shirts outside, using mosquito nets to cover strollers and baby carriers, and using mosquito nets or ventilators. in outdoor food courts.

Stagnant water should be drained as this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs, the statement said. Torn mosquito nets should be repaired to keep mosquitoes outside and outdoor lighting should be minimized after dark, the statement said.

“Mosquito-borne diseases will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall, when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below freezing,” Johnson said.

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