Last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a locally acquired case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a Roscommon County resident. This is the first EEE human case of the mosquito-borne disease reported in Michigan since 2021.

State and local health departments, along with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, have been monitoring and will continue to monitor for signs of EEE in humans, mosquitos, domestic animals and wildlife. Prior to this case, no animal EEE activity has been detected in Michigan this year. Additional mosquito trapping and testing is underway in Roscommon County to assess the level of risk in the area. Information about human, animal and mosquito pool testing is available in a weekly arboviral report.

“It is vital that Michigan residents take precautions against mosquito bites as mosquitoes can carry diseases that can have devastating health effects,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with a 30% fatality rate among people who become ill.”

EEE virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is a rare but serious disease. Only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States.  People who become ill with EEE may experience fever, headache, chills and nausea. In some cases, symptoms may progress to inflammation of the brain, signaled by disorientation, seizures and coma. Physicians treating patients with these symptoms should consider testing for EEE and other mosquito-borne viruses and report suspect cases to their local health department. The MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories offers comprehensive testing for the arboviruses of concern in Michigan.

Also, this month, Michigan health officials identified a human case of influenza A H1N2 variant (swine flu) in an Ionia County resident who was a swine exhibitor at the Kent County Youth Fair. The fair took place Aug. 3-8 at the Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan in Lowell. County health officials reached out to swine exhibitors and their families who visited the swine barns at the Kent County Youth Fair to identify any additional illnesses in those who may have been exposed to influenza from infected pigs.

Additionally, Michigan’s health department on Aug. 20 reported 14,277 cases linked to ‌an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak. Michigan has been the state hardest hit by the multistate outbreak of the ​parasitic illness, reporting two related deaths, both in people with significant underlying health conditions.

Summer and fall increases in COVID-19 activity have occurred yearly since 2020, creating an expected surge of activity during this time. As COVID-19 activity increases in California, state health officials recommend getting immunized against this disease. It has been proven safe and effective in preventing serious illness and death in children and adults.

“As COVID-19 activity rises each summer, and our kids are getting back to school, getting vaccinated is one of the strongest ways we can protect our families and keep our communities thriving,” said Dr. Erica Pan, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state public health officer. “By staying up to date on your vaccine, you’re choosing health, resilience and the freedom to enjoy the season with confidence.”

California health officials recommend that :

• Everyone 6 months and older should have access to and the choice to receive available COVID-19 vaccines.
• Anyone who hasn’t received a dose of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine or is due for a second dose get vaccinated now as increases in infections are occurring.
• Some groups (young children, immunocompromised people) may need multiple doses.
• People 65 and older or who are immunocompromised are recommended to receive two available doses six months apart.

Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, the health department said. CDPH recommends that healthcare providers continue to administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine through the summer while awaiting arrival of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine later this year. For the last two years we’ve seen higher peaks of COVID-19 disease activity in late summer than in the winter, so it’s important to protect now. Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you and your family.