AUGUSTA — Maine’s epidemiologist says the state appears to be out of the woods for mosquito-borne diseases but that ticks will continue to be a problem for several more weeks.

Three horses died this year from eastern equine encephalitis in Maine, making it the worst outbreak since 2009. The virus carried by mosquitoes is potentially fatal in humans as well, but Stephen Sears says colder weather with temperatures dipping below freezing is ending the threat for the season.

He says the cold overnight temperatures don’t yet mean an end to ticks, though. He says Lyme and other tick-borne diseases continue to be a problem into November and December.

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