Vectors and Vectorborne Diseases

Quick Links to Vectorborne Disease Information

Vectorborne Disease Resources

Data

Arboviral Surveillance

Mosquito, animal, and human specimens get tested for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) in Maine. The results are published in weekly Arboviral Surveillance Reports from July to September each year. This data helps Maine CDC to understand where in Maine mosquitoes might be infected with these diseases and guide mosquito control efforts to prevent humans and companion animals from getting sick.

Maine Tracking Network

The Maine Tracking Network publishes data dashboards for a variety of health and environmental concerns in Maine. The Tickborne Disease dashboard includes real-time and annual counts of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis cases in Maine. The dashboard features tables, maps, and charts of case counts, rates, and emergency room visits in Maine.

Tick Submissions

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension's Tick Lab collects, identifies, and tests ticks submitted by Maine residents. They publish interactive data tables and reports to share infection rates by town, maps of tick submissions, and tick species activity throughout the state.

Vectorborne and Other Infectious Disease Reports

Maine CDC publishes Infectious Disease Epidemiology Reports with graphs, case counts, surveillance reports, and annual reports for reportable infectious diseases, including vectorborne diseases.

United States Tickborne Disease Data

US CDC collects and publishes data on tickborne diseases in the United States.

Mosquitoes

mosquito

About 45 different species of mosquitoes live in Maine. About half of these mosquitoes can carry the germs that cause illness in humans, but not all bite people. Mosquitoes in Maine can carry viruses that can cause several illnesses. These include:

Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Photo credit: US CDC

Maine CDC Arboviral Town Hall Meeting Recording - June 6, 2024

Download presentation slides (PDF).

Ticks

deer tick

About 14 different tick species live in Maine, but not all of these ticks bite people. The two most common species of tick seen in Maine are the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). In Maine, deer ticks can carry germs that cause several illnesses. These include:

In other parts of the United States, American dog ticks are able to spread the germs that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. These ticks are not known to spread these germs in Maine.

Other Tickborne Diseases

Photo credit: US CDC

Browntail Moths

browntail moth

The browntail moth is an invasive species found only in Maine and Cape Cod. The browntail moth caterpillar has tiny poisonous hairs that cover its body. These hairs cause a rash similar to poison ivy on sensitive individuals. The hairs can also become airborne, especially during many yard work activities. If inhaled, these hairs can cause breathing problems in some people. Caterpillars are active from April to late June. The hairs can remain toxic in the environment for years.

Learn more about browntail moths:

Photo credit: Maine Forest Service

Repellents

repellent spray

Repellents can help reduce mosquito and tick bites. Mosquitoes and ticks may carry germs that cause serious disease in humans. The best way to prevent getting one of these diseases is to prevent tick and mosquito bites. Using an EPA-approved repellent when spending time outdoors can reduce the risk of bites. Common repellents for use on skin against ticks and mosquitoes include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Use permethrin on clothing to repel ticks and mosquitoes.

Learn more about repellents:

Photo credit: US CDC

Mosquito Resources

Tick Resources

Social Media Toolkits

Mosquito Social Media Toolkit

Image or Video Suggested Social Media Text
Suggested Text: Mosquitoes need standing water to lay eggs and grow. Even a capful of water is enough for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Dump out standing water around your yard to prevent mosquito bites. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Remember to wear an EPA-approved repellent when you go outside. You can use products with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on your skin. You can also use permethrin on your clothes. Find more information at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Do mosquitoes love your yard? Mosquitoes can lay eggs in standing water around our yards. To reduce the mosquitoes in your yard, remove containers or dump them out at least once each week. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Do mosquitoes love your yard? Mosquitoes can lay eggs in standing water around our yards. To reduce the mosquitoes in your yard, remove containers or dump them out at least once each week. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Do mosquitoes love your yard? Mosquitoes can lay eggs in standing water around our yards. To reduce the mosquitoes in your yard, remove containers or dump them out at least once each week. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Do you know the common symptoms of the mosquito-borne diseases found in Maine? See a health care provider if you have any of these symptoms after a mosquito bite. Visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne for more information.
Suggested Text: Any person can get sick from a mosquito bite, but some people are at higher risk than others. You can prevent a mosquito-borne disease by preventing mosquito bites in the first place. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Gear up to avoid mosquito bites! Wear long sleeves, pants, and EPA-approved repellents when you go outside to prevent getting sick from mosquito bites. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.
Suggested Text: Remember to check window and door screens regularly for holes, tears, or rips. Fix any holes to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Video Link (MP4)


Suggested Text: Can you see the wriggling mosquito larvae in this video? Mosquito larvae, or baby mosquitoes, can live in containers of water around your yard, like yard toys, plant pots, and bottle caps. Dump out containers that can hold water from around your yard to fight mosquito bites. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Video Link


Suggested Text: Do mosquitoes love your yard? Mosquitoes can lay eggs in standing water around our yards. To reduce the mosquitoes in your yard, remove containers or dump them out at least once each week. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Video Link


Suggested Text: The best way to prevent a mosquito-borne disease is to prevent mosquito bites. Wear repellent and protective clothing to fight the bite. Visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne for more simple ways to prevent mosquito bites.

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Suggested Text: Mosquitoes need standing water to lay eggs and grow. Even a capful of water is enough for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Dump out standing water around your yard to prevent mosquito bites. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Tick Social Media Toolkit

Image or Video Suggested Social Media Text
Suggested Text: May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! We urge everyone to prevent tick bites. Don't let a little tick cause a big problem! Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: Identifying a tick by size is not always a good way to know the type of tick. Ticks can be different sizes based on how long they have been feeding. Focus on the color and pattern on the back shield to identify your tick. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: Deer ticks come in more than one size. Deer tick nymphs, or teenage ticks, are only the size of a poppy seed. Make sure you look closely when you do your tick check! Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: The bull's-eye rash is the most common symptom of Lyme disease. It is a rash that slowly expands in size. It can appear anywhere on the body, not just at the site of a tick bite. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: The Lyme disease bull's-eye rash may look slightly different depending on where it is on the body. Look for a rash that expands slowly in size. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: Can you tell the difference between a deer tick and an American dog tick? Use the color and decoration on the shield on the back and body color to deterine which tick you are dealing with. Learn more at www.maine.gov/lyme.
Suggested Text: As you explore and enjoy Maine, make sure to be tick free! Use caution in tick habitat, wear protective clothing, use EPA-approved repellents, and do tick check every day. Learn more this Lyme Disease Awareness Month at www.maine.gov/lyme/month.

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Suggested Text: In Maine, ticks can be active all year long, but are most active between early spring and late fall. Watch this video to learn simple steps to help you prevent tick bites.

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Suggested Text: Do you check for ticks daily? It is important to do a daily tick check to help prevent tickborne diseases. Watch this video to learn how to do your best tick check. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

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Suggested Text: It takes time for most tickborne germs to spread to you during a bite. This is why it is important to remove ticks as soon as possible. Avoid using folk remedies like petroleum jelly, matches, or nail polish to remove a tick. Watch this video to learn more.

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Suggested Text: Adults 65 years and older are at highest risk for tickborne diseases in Maine. This includes Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Make sure to use tick prevention, as all these diseases are on the rise. Learn more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

Resources for Healthcare Providers

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