Protecting yourself from E.E.E. in the U.P.

BARAGA COUNTY, Mich. (WBUP) — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the U.P.

This is also the first time E.E.E has ever been found in Baraga County.

The dangerous disease spreads to horses, deer, and humans by infected mosquitoes.

While the U.P. has had some cooler temperatures this week, the mosquitoes that carry E.E.E remain alive and active until the first hard freeze with several hours below 28 degrees.

E.E.E. has a 90% equine mortality rate, so officials want horse honors to take the proper precautions to stay safe.

Horses and deer can not directly transmit the disease to humans, it is only spread through mosquitoes.

People who get E.E.E. may have a fever, chills, or body aches.

The infection can further develop into seizures, permanent brain damage, and in some cases even death.

It is important to avoid mosquito bites with insect repellent as well as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Wisconsin had a number of E.E.E cases in northern areas that border the U.P. and Michigan has had 2 human cases as well as 36 animal cases across 15 counties.

MDARD officials say it is easy to feel insulated from issues that happen south of the Mackinac Bridge, but mosquitoes do not have natural geographic barriers that protect animals or people so every Michigan resident, including those in the U.P. need to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.