The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports the first case of a Maine resident infected with West Nile virus since 2020. State health officials say the case is a man in his 40s from Cumberland County who has no recent history of travel outside of Maine, making it likely the virus was acquired locally. The Maine CDC said the results are presumptive while awaiting confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On July 31, state health officials said they are investigating a West Nile virus case in a Waldo County resident who contracted the virus while traveling outside the state. West Nile virus, like eastern equine encephalitis virus and Jamestown Canyon virus, is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Neither of these viruses are transmitted from person to person or from person to animal. Many infected individuals are asymptomatic, but some experience fever and a flu-like illness. Severe symptoms include encephalitis, brain swelling, meningitis, and inflammation of the spinal cord. The Maine CDC said that 1 in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus can develop a severe and sometimes fatal illness. Recovery for survivors can take weeks to months, and some are left with lifelong effects. So far this year, the Maine CDC has reported the following cases of mosquito-borne disease: EEE in 4 horses, 2 emus, 1 llama, and 1 wild turkey Jamestown Canyon virus in 4 mosquito colonies (groups of up to 50 mosquitoes that are routinely tested as part of routine surveillance) West Nile virus in 15 wild birds Maine CDC said recent results have placed people currently living in Cumberland, Kennebec, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties at elevated risk. All other counties in Maine are at increased risk. “Just last week alone, one person has tested positive for locally acquired WNV and four farm animals have tested positive for EEE,” Maine CDC Director Dr. Putielli Ba said in a statement. “Maine people know that mosquitoes are a nuisance, but we also want them to know that they can have serious health consequences. We want all Mainers to remember to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites whenever they are outside, whether that be mowing the lawn, walking their dog or eating outdoors.” The risk of mosquito bites is highest from dusk to dawn and when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Maine CDC says you can protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases by taking the following precautions: Wear long sleeves and long pants. Use an Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Always follow label directions. Take special care at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Use screens on windows and doors. Drain any artificial standing water around your home, which is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites while traveling. Anyone who wants to prevent their pets from catching mosquito-borne diseases should consult with their veterinarian. The Maine CDC said horse owners can protect their horses from Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus through vaccination. The Maine CDC shared the following links for more information on the following topics: Mosquito surveillance reports, including all positive results, are updated weekly at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne. Find answers to frequently asked questions at www.maine.gov/dhhs/mosquitofaq. Learn about repellents at www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/mosquito.htm. Related Content:
Augusta, Maine —
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting the first case of West Nile virus infection in a Maine resident since 2020.
State health officials said the case is a man in his 40s from Cumberland County who had no recent travel history outside Maine and the virus is believed to have been acquired locally.
The Maine CDC said the results are presumptive, pending confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On July 31, state health officials announced they were investigating a case of West Nile virus in a Waldo County resident who contracted the virus while traveling out of state.
West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, as are eastern equine encephalitis virus and Jamestown Canyon virus. None of these viruses spread from person to person or from person to animal.
Many infected people are asymptomatic, but some may experience fever and flu-like symptoms.Severe symptoms can include encephalitis, swelling of the brain, meningitis, and inflammation of the spinal cord.
The Maine CDC said about 1 in 150 people infected with West Nile virus develop severe illness and can even die, and survivors may take weeks or months to recover, with some suffering lifelong effects.
So far this year, Maine CDC has reported the following cases of mosquito-borne diseases:
The Maine CDC said recent findings indicate that residents of Cumberland, Kennebec, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties are now at increased risk. All other counties in Maine are also at increased risk.
“Just last week, one person tested positive for locally acquired WNV and four farm animals tested positive for EEE,” Maine CDC Director Dr. Putielli Ba said in a statement. “Maine people know that mosquitoes are a nuisance, but we want people to know they can also pose serious health risks. We urge all Mainers to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites whenever they are outside, whether that be mowing the lawn, walking their dog or eating outdoors.”
The risk of being bitten by a mosquito is highest between dusk and dawn and when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Maine CDC said people can protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases by taking the following steps:
Wear long sleeves and long pants. Use an Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent on skin and clothing. Always follow label directions. Take special care at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Use screens on windows and doors. Drain any artificial standing water around the home, which is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Take measures to prevent mosquito bites while traveling.
People who want to prevent their pets from catching mosquito-borne diseases should consult their veterinarian. The Maine CDC said horse owners can protect their animals against Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus through vaccination.
The Maine CDC shared the following links for more information on the following topics:
