From our media partners at WOOD TV:
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo County health officials say the entire county will avoid aerial spraying for mosquitoes because of widespread requests to opt out of the treatment aimed at preventing Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department said Monday that the number of residents who opted out of the spraying covered a large enough area that aerial spraying would be ineffective in killing Kalamazoo County’s adult mosquitoes.
The health department said it endorsed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ spraying plan along with 13 other county health departments “given the ongoing risk of EEE infection in Kalamazoo County.”
So far there are 30 confirmed animal cases of EEE in 15 counties and nine human cases in six counties. Kalamazoo County has had the most confirmed cases in both categories — at least six animals and three people, including a man who died.
The MDHHS’ plan calls for crews in low-flying planes to apply Merus 3.0 — an organic pesticide containing 5% pyrethrin, which is found naturally in some chrysanthemum flowers. The mixture of six chemicals in Merus 3.0 is toxic to insects including mosquitoes, fleas, flies, moths, ants and other pests.
The state said while spraying could kill some pollinators, the work will be done after dusk when mosquitoes are most active and bees have returned to their hives.
MDHHS also said there are no general health risks to people, pets or animals during or after the spraying.
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