HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Following reports that three Michigan residents died from the mosquito-borne virus Eastern equine encephalitis, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, sent a letter to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention requesting information about the CDC’s prevention efforts.
“Given the record numbers of EEE cases in Michigan and other at-risk states, we would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the CDC’s efforts to prevent the spread of this vector borne illness. I would also like to learn of any effort to develop treatments for those who have already contracted this disease,” wrote Upton.
Four other Michigan residents have also been sickened by the disease.
Michigan health officials report that 14 counties in Michigan are affected, including all six counties in the Sixth District, which Upton represents in Congress.
As of Sept. 27, 2019, the CDC cases of EEE across seven states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, have resulted in four deaths in Massachusetts, three in Michigan, two in Connecticut, and one in Rhode Island.
According to the CDC, this is the largest annual number of EEE cases reported to CDC in more than 50 years. Michigan has seen more human cases this year, eight, than the total documented between 2009 and 2018, according to state records.
Michigan health officials have offered arial spraying in 14 counties, including Allegan.
Personal prevention tips include using a bug spray containing DEET; wearing long sleeves, pants and longer socks — limiting bare skin that mosquitoes can bite.
The full text of Upton’s letter to Dr. Robert Redfield, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director:
Dear Director Redfield:
I write to request a Congressional briefing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) strategy to combat the spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), now confirmed to have caused seven deaths in seven states.
Given the record numbers of EEE cases in Michigan and other at-risk states, we would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the CDC’s efforts to prevent the spread of this vector borne illness. I would also like to learn of any effort to develop treatments for those who have already contracted this disease.
Historically EEE cases are rare. However, southern Michigan has recently been hit particularly hard with seven confirmed cases, three of which resulted in death. Dr. Joneigh Khaldan, Chief Medical Executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services stated that “Michigan is experiencing its worst Eastern equine encephalitis outbreak in more than a decade.” Concern about EEE has prompted some communities to take extra precautions, including altering start times for football games at local high schools to avoid risk of exposure.
As you know, EEE is a rare vector-borne viral infection that is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. EEE infection can be severe and involve the central nervous system. Approximately one-third of all people with EEE die from the disease, and many survivors develop ongoing neurological problems. However, this year, we have seen an alarming spike of EEE cases.
I request that you share the most recent surveillance data and the details of the CDC’s strategy to combat EEE infection as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Fred Upton Member of Congress
