LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says it’s confirmed another human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a new county.
MDHHS says the new case involves a resident of Calhoun County, bringing the total number of human cases to eight in six counties: Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.
So far, three people have died from EEE. The mosquito-borne disease has also killed at least nine horses and five deer.
EEE has also reached more wildlife as far north as Montcalm County. The MDHHS says lab workers have confirmed EEE in 21 animals from 11 counties: Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Montcalm, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. State health officials say additional animal cases are under investigation.
MDHHS reemphasized its warning to all Michigan residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites until the first hard frost.