BIDDEFORD — Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus have been found in Biddeford, according to the Maine Centers for Disease Control.

The virus was found in a testing pool of 10-50 mosquitoes in the area, said state epidemiologist Stephen Sears, Thursday.

This is the latest finding of West Nile virus in the state, said Sears. So far, he said, infected mosquitoes have been found in several areas in York County and Cumberland County.

“We expected to find West Nile Virus (in Maine), and we found it,” said Sears.

Maine’s Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory found the first mosquito pool that tested positive for West Nile Virus on Aug. 17, according to the Maine CDC website. The pool of Culiseta melanura mosquitoes was collected on Aug. 1 in the Town of Lebanon, according to the website.

“This is the earliest (in the season) WNV has been identified in mosquitoes in Maine,” according to the website. “The last time WNV was identified in Maine was from a mosquito pool in 2010.”

Since mosquitoes carrying the disease can travel for several miles, Sears advised all those living in or traveling to York and Cumberland counties to take precautions.

“In those persons who do develop illness, symptoms of WNV include: Headache, high fever, altered mental state, tremors, convulsions, and rarely, paralysis. WNV can also cause meningitis/encephalitis and can be fatal,” the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website states.

There is no treatment for the disease, said Sears, so the best course of action is to limit exposure.

Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, so he advised people to stay inside or limit their time outside during those times, if possible.

For those who do venture outside, said Sears, they should wear protective clothing and/or use insect repellent.

Also, homeowners should remove any areas of standing water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, as well as making sure window screens are in good repair.

Mosquitoes are likely to stay active into October, so people should take precautions at least through that time, said Sears.

As of Sept. 11, he said, 2,636 cases of West Nile Virus were reported in the U.S. and 118 deaths related to the disease occurred.

Sears said people should not panic, however.

“People need to be aware, they need to be alerted, but they don’t need to be afraid,” he said.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.