Maine CDC Identifies West Nile Virus in Six Wild Birds

Jul 31, 2024

Maine people and visitors urged to take precautions against bites during active mosquito season

AUGUSTA--The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) announced today that six wild birds from multiple counties tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the earliest in the year that Maine CDC has found the mosquito-borne virus in birds.

Five of the birds were crows from Bangor, Bridgton, Fryeburg, Parsonsfield, and Sidney. The sixth bird was a hawk from Yarmouth. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife collected the birds as part of routine surveillance.

Maine CDC is additionally investigating one case of WNV in a Waldo County resident that was not acquired in Maine, but during travel outside the state. No mosquitoes have tested positive for WNV yet this year. Maine last recorded a human case of WNV in 2018. In 2023, three animals and one mosquito pool tested positive for WNV in Maine.

Besides WNV, mosquitoes in Maine can also spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) and Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV). As Maine CDC announced earlier this month, mosquitoes in Maine have tested positive for JCV this year. There are currently no known human cases of any locally-acquired mosquito-borne diseases in Maine this year.

"While West Nile and other viruses carried by mosquitoes are rare, they can cause serious illness,"said Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va. "It's important that Maine people and visitors take precautions against bites, especially as these viruses are appearing earlier than usual this year. As you enjoy the Maine outdoors, protect yourself with simple steps and speak to your health provider promptly if you experience any symptoms."

These viruses spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. They cannot spread from human to human or human to animal. Although rare, these diseases can have severe consequences, including death. The best protection is to take precautions against mosquito bites.

Many infected people have no symptoms. Others experience fever and flu-like illness. Severe symptoms can occur, including encephalitis (brain swelling), and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). If you experience any of these symptoms, call a health care provider.

You can take these simple steps to protect yourself from EEE, JCV, and WNV:

• Wear long sleeves and long pants.
• Use an EPA-approved repellent on skin and clothes. Always follow the instructions on the label.
• Take extra precautions at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use screens on windows and doors.
• Drain artificial sources of standing water around the home. This is ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
• Take steps to prevent mosquito bites when traveling.

To help prevent mosquito-borne diseases in pets, talk to your veterinarian. Horse owners can protect horses with vaccines against EEE and WNV.

For more information:

• Mosquito surveillance reports including all positive results are updated weekly atwww.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
• View answers to frequently asked questions at www.maine.gov/dhhs/mosquitofaq.
• Learn about repellents at www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/mosquito.htm.