(LANSING) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be taking steps to combat the spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

DHHS officials say they will be working with 12 local health departments to conduct aerial spraying in 14 counties that are in high risk areas for EEE. Spraying will occur locally in St. Joseph, Branch and Cass Counties. In addition spraying will happening in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Montcalm, Newaygo and Van Buren Counties.

The spraying is scheduled to take place starting Sunday, September 29 at 8 PM. However, the ability to spray is weather dependent and the schedule may change.

Aerial spraying will be conducted by low flying aircraft, beginning in the early evening and continuing up to 4:30 AM in areas of concern. Mosquito control professionals will apply approved pesticides as an ultra low volume spray. ULV sprayers dispense very fine aerosol droplets that stay suspended in the air and kill adult mosquitoes on contact. This is a tactic other states have recently employed to combat EEE.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy For Health says the pesticide being used is Merus 3.0, which is an organic pesticide containing 5 percent pyrethrin. Pyrethrins are chemicals found naturally in some chrysanthemum flowers, which are commonly used to control mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and many other pests.

Health risks are not expected during or after spraying. No special precautions are recommended, however residents and individuals who have sensitivities to pyrethrins are suggested to stay indoors while the spraying is happening.

Rebecca Burns, Health Officer with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wants to remind everyone that while spraying is necessary, it will not eliminate EEE completely. She says people still need to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites if you are going to be outside.