The County Press

Mosquito-borne disease confirmed in Lapeer County horseFree Access


LAPEER — Lapeer County residents and horse owners are being advised by the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services to protect themselves and their animals from mosquito bites as four additional cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been confirmed in the state  — including two that were fatal.

In addition to the human cases, as of Sept. 16, nine cases of EEE in horses have been confirmed — including one horse in Lapeer County, as well as in Barry, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties.

There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people.

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 occur in some cases. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately visit their physician’s office.

Health officials urge residents to stay healthy to avoid mosquito bites by applying insect repellents that contain DEET, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors and empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home and yard such as buckets, trash cans, unused kiddie pools and old tires.

Five deer in Barry, Cass, Genesee, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties have also been confirmed with EEE infection. The deer were euthanized due to the severity of their disease symptoms.

See Sunday’s edition of The County Press for more on this developing story.

  • Jeff Hogan