Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella bacteria. People can get brucellosis from infected animals or contaminated animal products. Both domestic animals (dogs, cats, livestock, etc.) and wild animals can have brucellosis.
Brucellosis spreads from animals to humans in several ways. These include:
Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil around the world. It can infect people, domestic animals, and wild animals.
People get infected when they:
Ebola is a disease caused by ebola viruses. Most of the viruses that cause ebola are in sub-Saharan Africa. Ebola viruses spread through direct contact with the body fluids (including blood, sweat, vomit, feces) of an ill or dead person infected with ebola virus. Ebola is NOT spread through the air and a person can only spread the virus when they are having symptoms.
Outbreaks of ebola viruses occur from time to time. Learn more about ebola outbreaks in the world.
Ticks in the United States can spread at least 15 different diseases to humans. Ticks in Maine can spread 5 germs that make people sick. These include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Hard Tick Relapsing Fever, Lyme disease, and Powassan virus disease. However, ticks in other parts of the U.S. can spread other germs that make people sick. Tickborne diseases and conditions in other parts of the U.S. include:
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus. It affects the brain and spinal cord. Rabies can cause death if left untreated. Rabies in people is very rare in the United States, but rabies in animals - especially wildlife - is common in most parts of the country, including Maine. We call an animal with rabies a rabid animal.
Overseas travelers should learn about current risks and how to prevent mosquito bites during their trip. Mosquitoes spread viruses and parasites not common or present in the continental United States, such as:
About 45 different species of mosquitoes live in Maine. About half of these mosquitoes can carry the germs that cause illness in humans, but not all bite people. Mosquitoes in Maine can carry viruses that can cause several illnesses. These include:
