FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2005
For additional information contact:
Amy Morris, Community Relations Coordinator at (616) 632-7110
Kent County Health Department Recommends Hunters Take Precaution
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
(Grand Rapids, MI)— With four deer in Kent County testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the Kent County Health Department recommends hunters, or any outdoor enthusiast, to take precautions against the disease.
EEE is a mosquito-borne, viral disease most commonly seen in the deer and horse populations but it does pose a risk to humans. Individuals who are bitten by mosquitoes carrying the disease can develop a range of symptoms from mild flu-like illness to encephalitis, coma and death. It is also possible, but rare, to become infected by getting brain or spinal cord matter from an infected deer in the eyes, lungs or in skin wounds.
While human infection is rare, citizens are urged to take extra precautions against EEE by taking action to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes. The Health Department recommends using insect repellents (containing Deet) for personal protection from bites, keeping tight screens on windows, doors and porches and wearing protective clothing.
Hunters should exercise extra caution during this fall hunting season by observing the following safety procedures recommended by the Department of Natural Resources since 2002:
- Hunters should not handle or consume wild animals that appear sick or act abnormally, regardless of the cause. All other deer meat should be cooked thoroughly (170-180 degrees) to kill this virus as well as any other viruses and bacteria present.
- Always wear heavy rubber or latex gloves when field dressing deer.
- Handle knives carefully to prevent accidental cuts.
- Minimize contact with brain or spinal tissues. Do not cut into the head of any deer that behaved abnormally even to remove the antlers. When removing antlers from healthy deer, use a hand saw rather than a power saw, and always wear safety glasses.
- Bone out the carcass, keeping both the head and spine intact.
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling carcasses and before and after handling meat.
- Thoroughly sanitize equipment and work surfaces used during processing with bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon water). Consider keeping a separate set of knives used only for butchering deer.
Citizens/hunters observing a deer that is obviously sick and behaving abnormally should contact the closest DNR field office during business hours; if it is after 5 p.m. and on the weekends residents should call the DNR Report All Poaching (RAP) Line at 1-800-292-7800. More information on EEE can be found by visiting the Kent County Health Department’s website at www.accesskent.com/health.
###
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) has been in the business of providing health services to the whole of Kent County since 1931. It is made up of four divisions: Administration, Community Clinical Services, Community Nursing and Environmental Health. The Health Department is home to nearly 325 employees including public health nurses, sanitarians, health educators, technicians, public health administrators and the Kent County Animal Shelter. KCHD operates five satellite clinics located in Wyoming, Kentwood, Rockford, Sheldon Complex, and the Westside of Grand Rapids. To learn more about our services visit www.accesskent.com/health
