There have been many environmental issues that have been brought into the limelight in contemporary society. One of the major local issues is the pesticide problem in Detroit that is linked to the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). EEE is an extremely serious and rare infection that leads to the inflammation of the brain, commonly referred to as encephalitis. The infection is spread through mosquito bites where the carrier mosquito is infected with the EEE virus. Additionally, the disease can infect a variety of animals, including mammals and birds. Its spread among mammals, including horses, donkeys, zebras, and humans, is supported through bites from infected mosquitoes that mainly feed on blood in mammals and birds. The increased insecticide spraying aimed at eradicating mosquitoes that are considered to carry the infectious EEE virus has attracted the attention of some of the locals, especially from the media and public and animal health advocates. As a result, some counties and cities have made the firm decision not to use the insecticides to spray their surroundings, especially because of their fear of harming other wild and human life. Most of the opponents to the spraying, including some county and city health officials, relate their argument to the view that it will lead to a more significant issue across the ecosystem. Despite the small number of people who have been diagnosed with EEE because of the mosquitoes carrying the virus, it is essential
Viewpoints on the Topic
The mosquito season in Michigan leads to a high risk of the spread of the EEE virus. The virus has a significant impact on human and animal populations. As of November 2019, there were ten confirmed cases of humans with the virus across Southwest Michigan. Out of this population, 10 of them died (Shamus, 2019). Furthermore, the death of animals has been witnessed across the county, including two wolf pups that died in the Binder Park Zoo (FOX 2 Detroit, 2019). The virus has also been noted to have devastating impacts on horses, although a vaccine has been developed for the animals. However, there is no vaccine for humans. The disease has also had impacts on the people who survive, especially because of the related mental and physical disabilities (FOX 2 Detroit, 2019). As a result, counties are carrying out aerial spraying using pesticides to mitigate the virus.
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According to Matheny (2019), spraying the EEE virus could lead to the risk of losing some of the world’s endangered species. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has noted the endangered Mitchell’s satyr butterfly as one of the rarest butterflies across the globe, and that only inhabit area within Indiana and Michigan. The alarming rate of spreading of the mosquito-spread virus has led to airborne insecticide spraying in Southern Michigan. Although the pyrethrum-product plays a crucial role in eradicating the problem of adult mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus, it has been emphasized by the health departments across a wide range of counties that it might be safe for some animals and humans, but it is not to other insects. The endangered butterflies have, however, been at risk. Spraying has also led to decreasing numbers in insects that play a critical role in pollination, including bees.
Synthesis and Evaluation
The dwindling numbers of pollinators, including butterflies and bees, have been associated with spraying mosquitoes using pesticides. As a result, scientists and zoologists have been calling on local governments and other relevant authorities to contribute towards the promotion of biodiversity through the conservation of the endangered species (Matheny, 2019). The pesticides used have been linked to potential impacts on the insect population, especially the rare species. Spraying with pesticides has also been linked with the destruction of hibernation sites of some of the insects, including the bumblebee queens. These are some of the excessive environmental impacts of the insecticides on the bee ecosystem.
The widespread spraying in Detroit is also a concern in the public health and economic sectors. The pesticide is usually sprayed in the nighttime and contains an organic chemical. It can break down at fast rates in sunlight while binding firmly to the soil, which is raising a concern that it leads to soil pollution. The chemical, referred to as pyrethrin, might penetrate crops, especially those whose product is below the soil, while ultimately contaminating the products (Matheny, 2019). As such, it can finally be taken by the consumers of these products leading to a high risk of health problems. Furthermore, the spray has been noted to have an impact on beekeeping, especially because of the reduction in the population of the bees, which is leading to an overall drop in the productivity of bee farming. Consequently, the widespread spraying is causing a drop in the economic returns to the farmers.
The EEE virus has also led to high costs for the county and state governments. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that the research and development of a drug could lead to costs as high as $648 million (McNulty, 2019). As such, it might be less economical for drug production firms to develop a drug, especially given the limited number of cases of the virus across the years.
Solutions to the Problem
Every outbreak presents diverse challenges that call for serious strategic decisions to address. While other strategies demand long-term engagements or programs, some are short-term in their planning implementation. Different strategies have been undertaken to resolve the problem caused by the spraying. Some of the cities are recommending and using skin-worn repellants that contain DEET that help in reducing the risk of EEE (Matheny, 2019). The repellants are being recommended mainly for use in senior and homeless shelters across the county. It can be applied as a solution to the spraying problem because it will act as an option to the use of aerial spraying that puts other insects at risk of being affected. Reducing the use of aerial spraying is also likely to reduce the impact of pesticides on natural insect predators, such as dragonflies, which could lead to a lower impact because the mosquito population will increases.
The development of a commercially available vaccine might also be a solution to the mosquito-borne virus. More clinical trials need to be conducted to develop a vaccine that will be effective in reducing the spread of the virus (TuftsNow, 2019). The Food and Drug Administration has played a critical role in efforts to develop a vaccine to stop the virus (McNulty, 2019). The trials should also be supported by the creation of awareness about the virus and the risk of the insecticides being used to fight mosquitoes in the region. Patients with terminal illnesses, especially those with an impact on their immunity, should be informed about the risk of contracting the disease.
Furthermore, people need to adopt lifestyles that will cover them from mosquitoes, especially in the wet and warm weather conditions (Samilton, 2019). For instance, people should wear long pants and long-sleeved tops when outside. Such is especially vital at dusk when mosquitoes are roaming in their surroundings (Samilton, 2019). People can also use insect repellents to keep mosquitoes away. Dumping any standing water also helps in reducing the breeding rates of mosquitoes, which will help in getting rid of the virus.
References
FOX 2 Detroit. (2019, November 15). Cold ends mosquito season and rare EEE virus threat in Michigan. Fox 2 Detroit . Retrieved from https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/cold-ends-mosquito-season-and-rare-eee-virus-threat-in-michigan
Matheny, K. (2019, October 7). Michigan EEE spraying could put one of world's rarest butterflies at risk. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved from https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/10/07/eee-virus-michigan-mosquito-spraying-insects/3866812002/
McNulty, M. (2019, September 27). Michigan spending millions in mosquito war as EEE vaccine remains locked away. Fox Business . Retrieved from https://www.foxbusiness.com/healthcare/a-eee-virus-vaccine-exists-but-u-s-military-wont-let-you-have-it
Samilton, T. (2019, October 7). EEE, and controversy over public health response, unlikely to go away. Michigan Radio. Retrieved from https://www.michiganradio.org/post/eee-and-controversy-over-public-health-response-unlikely-go-away
Shamus, K. (2019, October 14). 5th person in Michigan dies of EEE mosquito virus. Risk still high despite frost advisory. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved from https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2019/10/14/eee-michigan-deaths-eastern-equine-encephalitis-mosquitoes-frost/3973877002/
TuftsNow. (2019, September 2019). Why is there a EEE vaccine fee for horses but not for humans? . Retrieved from https://now.tufts.edu/articles/why-there-eee-vaccine-horses-not-humans
