The Allegan County Health Department Saturday announced a deer in Trowbridge Township, Allegan County, was tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
It was the first confirmed case of a human or animal carting the disease, which sometimes can be fatal to humans. Officials have also announced a spraying program will commence this coming week, including the southeast area of Trowbridge and southeast area of Gun Plain Township, within 2.5 miles of a deer found with EEE in Barry County.
Spraying is to begin at 8 p.m. Sunday. Twelve local health departments have authorized the aerial spraying in high-risk areas to further fight the spread of EEE in 14 counties, including Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph and Van Buren.
Aerial spraying is conducted by low-flying aircraft similar to crop dusting. The planes begin in the early evening and continue up until 4:30 the next morning.
Though the aerial spray is considered necessary to reduce human risk, health officials said it will not eliminate it. Residents must continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Because of concerns about EEE, many area school districts have been starting Friday evening football games at 5 p.m. or 5:30 to reduce the likelihood of people being outside during peak hours for mosquitoes.
