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| Seasonal Diseases Information |
Seasonal Disease
Information
Summer
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is
primarily spread by deer ticks. People are most likely to contract Lyme disease
during the late spring and summer months when ticks are most prevalent. Campers,
hikers, and people who live or work in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas are most
at risk. To reduce your personal level of risk, it is important to know how to
recognize and protect yourself from ticks. Conduct a “tick check” on your body
and clothing after spending time outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it
promptly with tweezers.
The links below provides some basic information about ticks, Lyme disease, and tick removal:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lyme Disease
Maine Medical Center Lyme Disease Research Center
Lyme Disease Frequently Asked Questions
Maine Center for Disease Control Lyme Disease web guide
West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are diseases transmitted to
humans by infected mosquitoes. West Nile Virus can infect birds, horses, and
various other mammals and is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes that have
recently bit an infected bird. While WNV does exist in some birds and mosquitoes
in Maine, the low prevalence of the disease has prevented any human cases from
being reported to date.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare, but very serious, virus that is only
found to be spread by mosquitoes. EEE mainly effects humans and horses and
cannot be spread within species. EEE is very rare, with only a handful of cases
reported nationwide per year. In recent years, however, EEE has been found in
humans in New Hampshire, making it a virus everyone should be aware of.
The links below provide basic information about West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis from local and national sources.