Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a mosquito borne virus that is spreading throughout lower Michigan. 

For updated information on the statewide response, visit:  www.michigan.gov/EEE.

Educational Flyers:

Lenawee County Health Department press releases:  http://www.lenawee.mi.us/831/Health-News 

Mosquito Bite Prevention

The Lenawee County Health Department encourages all residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, by doing the following:

  • 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.

Residents are encouraged to be particularly cautious during outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, including sporting events. These precautions should be followed until the first hard frost of the year.

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.

Picture of a mosquito