First Case of Zika Virus Confirmed in Maine

The Maine Center for Disease Control announced Today (Feb. 25) that it has confirmed that a Mainer has tested positive for the Zika virus.

The confirmed case is that of a mature adult (age 65 or older) from Hancock County. The person had recently traveled to a Zika-affected country. They experienced symptoms after returning home. Their announcement says, that hospitalization was not required.

Dr. Siiri Bennett, Maine’s state epidemiologist says, “It’s important for the public to understand that the aedes mosquito that transmits the Zika virus is not found in Maine." Bennett added that, "your neighbor who has come home from a trip to South America cannot transmit the virus to you."

According to the CDC press release, “The common link to this virus is travel, and this finding is not unexpected,” said “Several countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America are experiencing outbreaks and Mainers like to travel to warm places in the winter.”

The CDC recommends that if you want to stay up to date on the tests conducted on Mainers and the results, click here!

[Source: Maine Center for Disease Control]