Fourth victim dies in Michigan from mosquito-borne illness EEE

DOWAGIAC, Mich. --- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Wednesday that a fourth person has died from the mosquito-borne illness, EEE.

WOOD-TV, a CW affiliate, confirmed with family members that the latest victim is 79-year-old Stan Zalner of Battle Creek in Calhoun County.

Zalner contracted EEE about two weeks ago, according to reports.

Just last week, the state of Michigan and health departments in the area announced 14 counties would get aerial spraying to kill off the mosquitoes carrying this deadly disease.

“As of Oct. 2, EEE has been confirmed in nine people, with four fatalities. Cases are in Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. In addition, cases have occurred in 33 animals from 15 counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. The mosquitos that spread EEE are still active and were caught in traps set Oct. 1 in southwest Michigan,” stated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in a press release.

Spraying started on Sunday night, covering 86,016 acres, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Aerial treatment is dependent on weather conditions.

“Aerial treatment will continue, depending on weather (temperature, cloud cover, wind and rain) until all areas of risk are treated or there is a hard frost, sufficient to kill mosquitos,” stated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in a press release.

The treatment scheduled for neighborhoods in both Berrien and Cass counties has been completed.