ELKHART, Ind.–The goal is to kill mosquitoes that have the disease. That’s why leaders in the city of Elkhart say they’re planning an aerial spray treatment for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Eight horses have tested positive for Triple E in Elkhart County while the virus was also confirmed to be in two horses in nearby LaGrange County.
Professionals are supposed to focus their spraying on freshwater and marsh locations in northern Elkhart County starting Wednesday night. The target area will include the so-called “fruit hills” area south of Bristol and west of Middlebury. That’s near where the horses were found to have EEE.
In LaGrange County, they’ll spray around Dallas Lake, Atwood Lake, and Witmer Lake northwest of Wolcottville. Details on that are still being worked out.
Several people in Michigan have contracted EEE, which has made the Elkhart County Health Department even more concerned.
There haven’t been any people in Indiana with EEE this year, but EEE has been found in 27 people in six other states. Seven people have died.
Infections of EEE are rare in humans but can be fatal for some of those who get it. Some who have contracted EEE and survived it have reported ongoing neurological issues.
State health experts advise you to do the following:
- Using insect repellant and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in areas where mosquitoes are active
- Avoiding areas where mosquitoes breed
- Staying indoors during times when mosquitoes are active
- Emptying containers that hold standing water and unclogging gutters
- Keeping overgrown vegetation mowed
- Maintaining clean swimming pools clean or aerating ornamental ponds.
(PHOTO: Clint Spencer/Thinkstock)
