The top two mosquito-borne illnesses affecting humans or domestic animals in Maine are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus. Acquired mosquito-borne illness from international travel include such viruses as Dengue, Malaria, and Zika.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
- Description: Rare but serious disease that is caused by a virus. It can infect humans, horses, birds and other animals.
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Signs & Symptoms: Many people do not have obvious symptoms, in people that do develop the illness, symptoms range from mild-flu like illness to inflammation of the brain, coma and death.
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Susceptibility: Present in Maine. People are at the highest risk of getting infected with eastern equine encephalitis between the months of May and October.
- Prevalence: Eastern half of the United States. Maine has two reported residents with EEE one in 2014 and 2015. One of the cases was fatal.
West Nile
- Description: Can cause disease in humans, birds or other mammals. Can be carried in birds, often when three or more dead birds are together.
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Signs & Symptoms: Many people have no obvious symptoms. If some does develop illness symptoms can include headache, high fever, altered
mental state, tremors, convulsions and rarely paralysis. -
Susceptibility: Often during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through the fall.
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Prevalence: Leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.
Jamestown Canyon Virus
- Description: disease is an illness that are transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
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Signs & Symptoms: Flu like symptoms
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Susceptibility: Illness can occur in any age group
- Prevalence: People who work outside or participate in outdoor activities are at greater risk because of exposure to mosquitoes
To learn more about Mosquito-borne diseases, visit the: Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention
