Maine CDC Prepares for Active Mosquito Season

Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases

AUGUSTA--After a rainy start to summer, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC)urges residents and visitors to prevent mosquito bites. Warm and rainy weather can lead to high mosquito activity and higher risk of illness from mosquitoes.

Infected mosquitoes can spread three viruses in Maine: Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and West Nile virus (WNV).

Maine had an elevated mosquito-borne disease season last year, including one person who tested positive for EEE and two for WNV. Earlier this year, the Maine CDC reported one case of JCV in a Maine resident.

Many people who get these mosquito-borne diseases show no symptoms. Others only experience mild flu-like symptoms, but some people can be severely ill. About half of people with severe symptoms need extra care in the hospital. Severe symptoms can include:

  • Vomiting
  • Neck stiffness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Speech difficulties
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Brain swelling (encephalitis)
  • Swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)

If untreated, some severe infections can lead to death and survivors may have long-term health problems. If you experience any of these symptoms following a mosquito bite, call a health care provider right away.

Mosquitoes are active in Maine, so now is the time to take steps to prevent mosquito bites. The Maine CDC recommends:

  • Wearing long sleeves and long pants.
  • Using an EPA-approved insect repellent on skin and clothes.
  • Taking extra precautions at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Using screens on windows and doors.
  • Draining artificial sources of standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.
  • Taking steps to prevent mosquito bites when traveling.

Maine does not have the kinds of mosquitoes that spread viruses like Dengue, Zika, Oropouche, and Chikungunya, but people can still get infected with these viruses while traveling. If you feel sick within a week after a trip, tell your health care provider about where you visited.

Talk to your veterinarian about ways to keep animals safe from mosquitoes. If you have horses, ask about vaccinations against EEE and WNV.

The Maine CDC tests mosquitoes for EEE, JCV, and WNV through the summer and fall months, starting in June. Find weekly arboviral surveillance reports at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

For More Information: