PORTLAND, Maine — The city of Portland announced Wednesday that a bird in the area has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The city's public health division said the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the positive result in a bird from Portland.
The positive result was discovered through routine surveillance conducted by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. A total of nine birds from six counties tested positive for the virus, according to the city.
A previous routine surveillance that was conducted in July yielded six birds that tested positive for the virus.
In addition to West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus and Jamestown Canyon virus can also be spread by mosquitoes in Maine.
"As the Maine CDC announced in July, 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," the release stated.
"While West Nile and other viruses carried by mosquitoes are rare, they can cause serious illness," Bridget Rauscher, the city's local health officer, said. "It’s important for residents to take precautions against mosquito bites. You can protect yourself from mosquito bites with a few easy—yet effective—steps and speak to your health care provider right away if you experience any symptoms."
Spread through an infected mosquito bite, these viruses cannot spread from human to human or human to animal. Although it's rare, they can have serious consequences, including death, according to the city.
To protect yourself from becoming infected with these viruses, follow these simple steps:
- 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 an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
- Take these same steps to prevent mosquito bites when traveling.
You can speak with your veterinarian about ways to protect your pets from mosquito-borne diseases. There are vaccines available against EEE and WNV to protect horses.