July 2, 2019

Human Arbovirus Information for Healthcare Providers in Maine

The purpose of this health advisory is to alert clinicians to the potential for human arboviral disease activity in Maine and to consider testing for arboviral disease in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis or high fever (100.4F or 38C) during the summer and early fall.

Arboviral diseases, including Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and West Nile virus (WNV), are serious infections that are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Maine reported a fatal case of JCV infection, a relatively rare arboviral disease carried by mosquitoes, in a resident in 2018. Additionally, Powassan virus is an arboviral disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. Maine identified zero cases of Powassan virus disease in residents during 2018. Although rare, these diseases have potentially severe and even fatal consequences for those who contract them.

Advisory (PDF)