AUGUSTA — The Maine Center for Disease Control says a Mainer has contracted West Nile virus.
The Maine CDC said Tuesday that the adult developed symptoms after returning from travels to several mid-Atlantic states but that it’s unknown where the individual contracted the mosquito-borne illness.
It’s the second confirmed human case in Maine; in 2012 a Cumberland County man was hospitalized.
Dr. Siiri Bennett, Maine’s state epidemiologist, says Mainers should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which have remained active in the warmer weather. She notes that one mosquito pool in York County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, another mosquito-borne virus, on Friday.
CORRECTION: In a story about the West Nile virus, The Associated Press reported erroneously that an individual was believed to have been exposed to the virus while traveling in several mid-Atlantic states. The Maine Center for Disease Control said the individual showed symptoms after returning from those travels but can’t say with certainty where he contracted the virus.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
