"Official" Trick-Or-Treat Times

KALAMAZOO, MI — Local and state public health officials announced this week plans to conduct aerial insecticide spraying in Kalamazoo County and 13 other Michigan counties amid what they are calling the state’s “worst outbreak” of a potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus.

The spraying will be conducted in 11 different treatment zones spread across 14 counties, according to a map outlining the plans released Friday, Sept. 27, by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The largest such zone is centered in the Kalamazoo area, stretching into portions of Allegan, Barry, Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties. Local and state health officials said Friday they hope the treatment will help protect public health amid the outbreak of Eastern equine encephalitis.

Nine human cases of Eastern equine encephalitis have been confirmed in Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. The disease has been connected to the deaths of three people and 27 animals, including horses, deer, a donkey and two wolf pups at Binder Park Zoo near Battle Creek.

State and local health officials resolved to conduct aerial spraying across portions of 14 counties affected by the outbreak, said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.

"We believe that this is another tool that we can use to protect public health," Khaldun said. "That is why we are moving forward at this instance."

A large portion of Kalamazoo County, including the city of Kalamazoo and the northeastern portion of the county, is highlighted as the area being sprayed with insecticide in a map provided by state health officials.

"High-risk" areas where a person or animal was found to be carrying the disease were selected for treatment. Those areas, shown in detail on the map, include portions of the following 14 counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph and Van Buren.

Spraying is planned to begin after 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, and continue until 4:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30. The spraying, conducted by low-flying aircraft, is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled for Monday instead, state officials said.

Residents are encouraged to visit michigan.gov/eee for up-to-date information about the update and treatment plans.

The aerial spraying, estimated to cost $1.5-$1.8 million and cover 720,000 acres statewide, is expected to be about 85% effective in killing the mosquitoes present in those areas. It is the first such treatment by the state since 1980, officials said, though individual counties and communities have conducted aerial spraying in the years since.

An Illinois-based contractor, Clarke, will conduct the aerial spraying together with partner Dynamic Aviation. The company plans to use an ultra-low volume spray containing Merus 3.0, an organic pesticide containing 5% pyrethrin, chemicals found naturally in some chrysanthemum flowers.

In general, health risks are not expected during or after spraying, according to MDHHS officials.

Aerial spraying is not expected to have any impacts on surface water or drinking water and reservoirs will be excluded from the spray area.

For those concerned about coming into contact with the spray, including those who have known sensitivities to pyrethrins, state officials urge them to remain indoors, close windows and doors, shut off fans and air conditioners, bring in laundry and children’s toys, cover items left outside, wash outdoor surfaces with soap and water after the treatment and to wash any garden produce before cooking it.

The pesticide product can be toxic to honeybees or butterflies, but the state is applying the pesticide during a time in which bees are in their hives and butterflies are covered, said Laura McGowan, spokesperson for Clarke.

McGowan added that pets are not at risk from residual effects of spraying, but it is recommended to keep pets indoors during the spraying. Owners of small, ornamental fishponds should cover them during the night of spraying, officials said.

Only 4-5% of people will be become sick when infected with the virus, according to information provided by the MDHHS. Those infected usually do not show symptoms; however, those who do will develop chills, fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain.

Less than 1% of people who are infected will develop a serious neurological illness that causes inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues, according to MDHHS. About 30% of people who develop neurological infection due to Eastern equine encephalitis will die. Persons younger than age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection.

People in the affected areas are encouraged to:

Avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes that carry the EEE virus are most active.

Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

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.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Signs of EEE infection 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. Anyone who thinks they may be experiencing these symptoms should contact a medical provider.

Even with the planned spraying, state health officials say risk for contracting EEE from mosquitoes in the affected areas remains until after the season's first "hard frost."

State health officials continue to encourage local officials and residents in the affected counties to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, particularly activities that involve children.