The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning to residents in Michigan yesterday after four more cases of the mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) were confirmed in Southwest Michigan. The new cases were reported in Barry, Cass and Van Buren counties. Cases of EEE had already been confirmed in Kalamazoo and Berrien counties. Two cases of EEE in Michigan this year have been fatal. Click here to read more from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Health officials are asking residents in the counties affected to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk. Here are some tips from the MDHHS on how to avoid mosquito bites:

  • Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
  • 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.

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