CDC: EEE virus found in wild turkey from Burnham, Maine

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said it has identified the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in an animal this year. The state CDC announced Tuesday that a wild turkey from Burnham tested positive for EEE, the third mosquito-borne virus identified in animals or mosquitoes this year. According to the Maine CDC, the state and much of the Northeast are currently experiencing an active mosquito-borne disease season. Health officials said this is the earliest point of the year that reports of all three of Maine's endemic mosquito-borne viruses — EEE, West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus — have been detected in the state. This is the second year in a row that all three viruses have been detected in Maine. As of Tuesday, the Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have detected West Nile virus in 15 birds, EEE in one bird and Jamestown Canyon virus in four mosquito ponds. On Monday, health officials in Bar Harbor and Skowhegan — towns about 100 miles apart — said they had each received notification from the Maine CDC that a crow from each of their towns had tested positive for West Nile virus. Late last month, the Maine CDC announced that six wild birds from several counties in the state had tested positive for West Nile virus. The state health agency said July 31 was the earliest date of the year that the mosquito-borne virus had been detected in birds. The Maine CDC said five of the birds were crows located in Bangor, Bridgton, Fryeburg, Parsonsfield and Sidney. The sixth wild bird to test positive for West Nile virus was a hawk from Yarmouth. Each of the birds was collected by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as part of routine surveillance.On July 31, the Maine CDC also said it was investigating a case of West Nile virus in a Waldo County resident who contracted the virus while traveling out of state. According to the state CDC, the last human case of West Nile virus in Maine was recorded in 2018.”Yes, mosquitoes are a nuisance, but they can also transmit dangerous diseases when an infected bug bites a human or animal,” Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va said in a statement. “We want people and visitors to Maine to be aware of increased mosquito activity and take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.”The West Nile, EEE and Jamestown Canyon viruses spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be transmitted from person to person or person to animal.Many infected people have no symptoms, but some experience fever and flu-like illness. Severe symptoms include encephalitis, brain swelling and meningitis, as well as inflammation of the spinal cord. The Maine CDC said people can protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses by taking the following steps: Wear long sleeves and long pants. Apply an EPA-approved repellent to skin and clothing. Always follow label directions. Take extra precautions at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Use screens on windows and doors. Drain artificial standing water sources around the home. This is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Take steps to prevent mosquito bites while traveling. Individuals who wish to prevent their pets from contracting mosquito-borne diseases should contact their veterinarian. According to the Maine CDC, horse owners can protect their animals from Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus and West Nile virus through vaccinations. The Maine CDC has shared the following links with more information on the following topics: Mosquito surveillance reports, including any positive results, are updated weekly at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/mosquitofaq. Information on repellents can be found at www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/mosquito.htm.