Weather Postpones Mosquito Spraying

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Weather has postponed aerial spraying by the state in high risk areas for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The spraying was slated for last night to cover around 720,000 acres in parts of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties along with several others to kill off mosquitoes carrying the illness. In a conference call Friday, state epidemiologist Sarah Lyon-Callo said they were targeting areas where there have been EEE cases.

State health officials say this year has brought the highest number of EEE cases in Michigan ever recorded. There have also been cases in deer, zoo animals, and horses. Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services say they will use a spray called Merus 3.0, a commonly-used mosquito chemical.

The spray dissipates quickly in water, and absorbed into the soil, posing no risk to ground water. The spraying will be done during times when bees and butterflies were least likely to be affected. In Berrien County, the spraying is targeted for the village of Eau Claire, portions of Pipestone Township and Berrien Township. Only a one-time spray operation was planned. This will be the first time the state has conducted aerial mosquito spraying since 1980, and a rescheduled time and date will be announced later today.