Mosquito activity likely to soar this week; increased concern for EEE

As the concern over Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) continues to rise, Mother Nature is going to provide the region with a week of weather that supports high to extreme mosquito activity.

According to the CDC and the State of Michigan, there have been 8 confirmed cases of EEE in Michigan. 

Of those, 3 were fatal in Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren County.

There were plans to begin aerial spraying to combat EEE in several Michigan counties on Sunday, but it had to be postponed due to "inclement weather."

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, aerial treatments are being rescheduled. Continue to visit https://t.co/dFM230G2lB for up-to-date information. https://t.co/hMzjXhCJWN

— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) September 30, 2019

That means it'll be even more important to protect yourself from mosquito bites this week, especially in Michigan and far northern Indiana (Elkhart County has seen EEE cases in horses).

The combination of heat, humidity, recent heavy rainfall, and additional rain Wednesday and Thursday will provide ideal conditions for significantly increased mosquito activity all week.

That will be the case not only here in Michiana, but across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and southern Michigan. 

If you plan on spending time outdoors, be sure to wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible, use effective bug spray with DEET and rid your property of any water.

If possible, avoid spending time outside between sunset (roughly 7:30 p.m. EDT) and sunrise (roughly 7:40 a.m. EDT). This is when mosquito activity is at its absolute highest.