Maine reported its first confirmed case of a potentially serious disease – the mosquito-borne West Nile virus – on Wednesday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that an adult resident of Cumberland County had contracted the disease. The individual, whose name and gender are not being revealed, had to be hospitalized, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release.
This is the first case in a Maine resident since 2018. West Nile virus is a potentially serious disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, which can transmit the virus to humans, birds, horses, and some other mammals, according to the Maine CDC.
Maine has not detected West Nile virus in its samplings of mosquitoes this year, but New Hampshire and Massachusetts have reported positive activity in mosquitoes during the summer and fall.
The Maine CDC is urging residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to remain vigilant throughout the rest of the season. Mosquitoes remain active when the temperature is above 50 degrees and until the second heavy frost. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.
The Maine CDC tests mosquitoes for West Nile virus throughout the summer months, starting in July.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less