The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in an animal this year. The state CDC announced Tuesday that a wild turkey in Burnham tested positive for EEE. This is the third mosquito-borne virus found in animals and mosquitoes this year. The state and much of the Northeast are experiencing an active season for mosquito-borne diseases, according to the Maine CDC. Health officials said this is the earliest report this year that all three mosquito-borne viruses endemic to Maine (EEE, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus) have been detected in the state. This is the second consecutive year that all three viruses have been detected in Maine. As of Tuesday, the Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife had found and detected West Nile virus in 15 birds, EEE in one bird, and Jamestown Canyon virus in four mosquito nests. On Monday, health officials in Bar Harbor and Skowhegan, about 100 miles apart, said they had received notification from the Maine CDC that crows in their respective towns had tested positive for West Nile virus. Late last month, the Maine CDC announced that six wild birds in multiple counties across the state had tested positive for West Nile virus. The state health department said July 31 this year was the earliest date the mosquito-borne virus had been found in birds. Five of the birds were crows and were in Bangor, Bridgeton, Fryeburg, Parsonsfield and Sidney, according to the Maine CDC. The sixth wild bird to test positive for West Nile virus was a hawk in Yarmouth. Both birds were collected by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as part of a routine survey. On July 31, the Maine CDC said it was investigating a case of West Nile virus in a Waldo County resident who contracted the virus while traveling outside the state. The last recorded human case of West Nile virus in Maine was in 2018, according to the CDC. “Mosquitoes are certainly a nuisance, but when infected insects bite people or animals, they can also carry dangerous diseases,” Maine CDC Director Petitérie Ba said in a statement. “We urge Mainers and visitors to be aware of increased mosquito activity and take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.” West Nile virus, EEE virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus are spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and are not transmitted from person to person or from person to animal. Many infected people are asymptomatic, but some may develop fever and flu-like symptoms. Severe symptoms include encephalitis, brain swelling, meningitis, and myelitis. The Maine CDC says you can protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases by taking the following steps: Wear long sleeves and long pants. Use an EPA-certified repellent on your skin and clothing. Always follow label directions. Take extra precautions at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Use screens on windows and doors. Drain any artificial standing water around your home. This is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Take measures to prevent mosquito bites while traveling. People who want to prevent their pets from contracting mosquito-borne diseases should consult with their veterinarian. The Maine CDC states that horse owners can protect their horses from Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus through vaccination. The Maine CDC has shared the following links for more information on the following topics: Mosquito surveillance reports (including positive results) are updated weekly at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne. Find answers to frequently asked questions at www.maine.gov/dhhs/mosquitofaq. For information on repellents, visit www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/mosquito.htm.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced the first confirmed cases of eastern equine encephalitis in animals this year.
The state CDC announced Tuesday that a wild turkey in Burnham tested positive for EEE, the third case of the mosquito-borne virus found in animals and mosquitoes this year.
According to the Maine CDC, the state and much of the Northeast are in mosquito-borne disease season.
Health officials said this is the earliest this year that three mosquito-borne viruses endemic to Maine — EEE, West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus — have been reported in the state, and it marks the second year in a row that all three viruses have been detected in Maine.
As of Tuesday, the Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife had found and detected West Nile virus in 15 birds, EEE in one bird, and Jamestown Canyon virus in four mosquito colonies.
On Monday, health officials in Bar Harbor and Skowhegan, about 100 miles apart, announced they had separately received notification from the Maine CDC that crows in the two towns had tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late last month that six wild birds in multiple Maine counties had tested positive for West Nile virus, and state health officials said July 31 was the earliest the mosquito-borne virus had been found in birds this year.
Five of the birds were crows and were located in Bangor, Bridgeton, Fryeburg, Parsonsfield and Sidney, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control. The sixth wild bird to test positive for West Nile virus was a hawk in Yarmouth. All of the birds were collected by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as part of a routine survey.
The Maine CDC announced on July 31 that it was investigating a case of a Waldo County resident who contracted West Nile virus while traveling out of state. The last recorded human case of West Nile virus in Maine was in 2018, according to the CDC.
“Mosquitoes are certainly a nuisance, but infected insects can carry dangerous diseases when they bite people or animals,” Maine CDC Director Petitelli Ba said in a statement. “We urge Maine residents and visitors to be aware of increased mosquito activity and to take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
West Nile virus, EEE virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus are spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and do not spread from person to person or from person to animal.
Many infected people are asymptomatic, but some may experience fever and flu-like symptoms.Severe symptoms can include encephalitis, swelling of the brain, meningitis, and inflammation of the spinal cord.
The Maine CDC said people can protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases by taking the following steps:
- Please wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Use an EPA-approved repellent on skin and clothing. Always follow label directions.
- Take special care at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Install screens on windows and doors.
- Drain any artificially standing water around your home, which is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
- Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites while traveling.
People who want to prevent their pets from catching mosquito-borne diseases should consult their veterinarian. The Maine CDC said horse owners can protect their animals against Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus through vaccination.
The Maine CDC shared the following links for more information on the following topics:
