Maine CDC works to monitor and prevent infectious diseases in Maine. These diseases are caused by certain viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites.
The Air or By Touch
Airborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microbes small enough to be discharged from an infected person via coughing, sneezing, laughing and close personal contact or aerosolization of the microbe. Contact diseases are transmitted when an infected person has direct bodily contact with an uninfected person and the microbe is passed from one to the other.
- Examples: Influenza-Novel, Hepatitis, Legionellosis, Respiratory Illness-other
Animal Exposures
Animal borne or zoonotic diseases and infections are those which can be naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans.
Food, Drinks, or Poor Sanitation
Foodborne diseases are caused by consuming food or beverages that are contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Individuals may also be exposed to these same pathogens through recreational water sports, contact with animals, and through person-to-person spread.
- Examples: Shellfish Poisoning (PDF), Scombroid Poisoning (PDF), Vibriosis (PDF)
- Food Related Illnesses
- Fish and Seafood
Recreational Water
Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols from, or having contact with contaminated recreational water. Recreational water includes water in pools, hot tubs, water parks, lakes, rivers, and oceans.
- Examples: Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis, Norovirus
- Water Borne Diseases
Vectors (Ticks and Mosquitoes)
Mosquitoes and ticks in Maine can carry viruses that can cause several illnesses. These include:
- Tickborne diseases examples: Anaplasmosis, Lyme Disease.
- Mosquito-borne diseases examples: Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), West Nile virus, Dengue, Malaria.
- Food, Drinks, or Poor Sanitation
Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases
Foodborne and diarrheal diseases are caused by consuming food or beverages that are contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some diseases may be caused by toxins or chemicals if they are present in the food. Individuals may also be exposed to these same pathogens through recreational water sports, contact with animals, and through person-to-person spread.