MAINE, USA — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) announced Monday that mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in three additional counties in the state.
In a news release, the Maine CDC said WNV was detected in four wild birds throughout Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, and Washington Counties. In total, the virus has been detected in 33 wild birds, an alpaca, one mosquito pool, and two people this year, the Maine CDC said. One of the people affected was reportedly a local case and the other was a travel-related case.
Mosquito-borne disease activity has been detected in 13 of Maine's 16 counties, the release stated. Not including WNV, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in several animals and one mosquito pool, and the Jamestown Canyon Virus has been detected in four mosquito pools this year.
All three mosquito-borne diseases spread through a bite from an infected mosquito and can affect animals and humans, the release stated. Although many people may not experience flu-like symptoms, the illnesses can become serious or even fatal.
"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," Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va said in the release. "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."
For more information on how to protect yourself and your pets during high-risk mosquito season in Maine, click here.
