West Nile Virus Identified in Bar Harbor

The Town of Bar Harbor has received notification from the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ME CDC) that they have recently identified a case of West Nile Virus in a crow from Bar Harbor.

Educational and guidance materials about mosquito-borne diseases have been posted on the Town's website. More materials are available on Maine CDC's website and may be ordered through www.maine.gov/dhhs/order.

Further information is available from the Town's Health Officer, Mike Gurtler, at: [email protected]. Additional information is also available from the Maine CDC, Division of Disease Surveillance at: 800-821-5821.

In the event of an arbovirus being present in a community, Maine CDC suggests the following recommendations:

• Draining sources of artificial standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs
• Covering exposed skin when outdoors
  • Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks
  • Using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved repellents
  • DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on skin
  • Permethrin on clothing
  • Always follow the instructions on the product's label
• Avoid being outdoors during dawn/dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Use screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings

School Specific Information:

All school districts are required to have a District Integrated Pest Management Coordinator. This person should be a school's primary contact for controlling mosquitoes on their properties and should be contacted if an arbovirus is detected in the community.

Maine Municipal Arbo Plan:

The Maine Arboviral (Mosquito-borne) Illness Surveillance, Prevention, and Response Guidance for Maine Towns and Communities, otherwise known as the Municipal Arbo Plan, contains detailed information on arboviral prevention and control methods for local municipalities. The document can be found here: www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-documents/2019-Arbo-Plan.pdf

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