Eastern Equine Encephalitis Prevention

The Berrien County Health Department issued a release on September 18, 2019, discussing the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Berrien County and preventative steps that can be taken.

While the likelihood of contracting EEE is low, and even lower for experiencing symptoms, the campus is encouraged to be familiar with EEE and take preventative steps to reduce possible exposure.

The following preventative steps were provided in the Berrien County Health Department release:

• When outdoors, apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. EPA registered products, 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.

Additional resources for EEE can be found here:

Berrien County Health Department Release

Berrien County Health Department - EEE

Michigan.gov Emerging Diseases - EEE