09/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 14:23
Sep 23, 2024
Maine people and visitors urged to protect themselves during high-risk mosquito season
AUGUSTA-- The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) announced today four wild birds tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in three new counties -- Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, and Washington. An alpaca also tested positive for WNV in Lincoln County, where a prior case of WNV was detected in a bird earlier this summer.
Mosquito pools in Penobscot County have now tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) and in Waldo County, they have tested positive for WNV. These are the first mosquito pools to test positive for either virus this year. A mosquito pool is a group of up to 50 mosquitoes collected through routine surveillance. Maine has had mosquito-borne disease activity in 13 of its 16 counties this season. Already this year, the Maine CDC has reported:
EEE, WNV, and JCV - collectively known as arboviruses - spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and can infect humans and some animals. The viruses cannot spread from human to human, or from human to animal. Many infected people have no symptoms. However, mosquito-borne illnesses can be serious and sometimes fatal. About one in three people who show symptoms of EEE die and many who recover experience long-term neurological impacts.
"With 13 out of our 16 counties showing the presence of mosquito-borne disease activity, Maine people and visitors should be extra vigilant about taking protections whenever you go outside," saidMaine CDC Director Puthiery Va. "EEE, WNV, and JCV can have devastating effects on your health. We urge you to take simple steps to prevent mosquito bites, wherever you are in Maine, especially during this high mosquito-activity, high-risk time."
Mosquito-borne illnesses usually start with flu-like symptoms. Severe symptoms can include brain swelling (encephalitis) and spinal cord inflammation (meningitis). If you experience flu-like symptoms, severe headache, behavior changes, or serious drowsiness, call a health care provider, especially if a COVID-19 test is negative.
Every time you go outside, consider taking these steps to protect yourself from EEE, WNV, and JCV:
For more information: