With summer upon us, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reminding Mainers to take care around mosquitoes, which can carry some very serious diseases.
“In Maine, mosquitoes spread diseases including Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and West Nile virus (WNV),” reads a statement issued by Maine CDC.
Such diseases, according to Maine CDC, do not always cause any symptoms at all. In other cases, people can experience “mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and weakness.”
In more extreme cases, however, Maine CDC warns symptoms can include vomiting, stiffness in the neck, difficulties with coordination or speech, confusion or seizures.
Untreated infections can be fatal, and Maine CDC recommends anyone with these extreme symptoms seek medical attention immediately.
To guard against mosquito bites, Maine CDC recommends:
Wearing long sleeves and long pants
Using an EPA-approved repellent on skin and clothing
Remembering mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn
Using screens on windows and doors
Draining artificial sources of standing water
Maine CDC recommends speaking to a local veterinarian about protecting pets. Horses can be vaccinated against EEE and West Nile virus.