State Officials Issue Warning After Jamestown Canyon Virus Detected in Maine

In states like Maine that are heavily wooded, we're used to getting warnings from state officials about rare diseases that pop up in our mosquito and tick populations.

And now, it has happened again.

According to an article that was published by WGME 13, in addition to several birds testing positive for West Nile Virus in York, Penobscot, Oxford, Cumberland and Kennebec counties recently, Maine has also had recent positive tests for Jamestown Canyon Virus.

The article explains that a recent "pool" of mosquitoes in Penobscot County tested positive for the virus.

According to the US CDC, the virus is transmitted primarily by infected mosquitoes.

Symptoms of the bug-borne illness can include fever, headache and fatigue and, sometimes, symptoms that are even more severe. The CDC explains that there is currently no vaccine for the virus, nor any medicines that effectively treat it.

In addition to things like West Nile, Jamestown Canyon and Eastern Equine Encephalitis viruses, the Maine CDC continues to urge Mainers to use caution against tick-borne ailments, like Lyme disease, as well.

For mosquitoes, you're best suited for protection if you're wearing bite-resistant long sleeved and legged clothing and utilizing approved bug repellent.

When it comes to fending off tick bites, the tips and tricks are a little more advanced. That's when we turn to the CDC for their best guidance.

According to information from the Maine Center For Disease Control and Prevention, these are some tips and tricks for helping to avoid tick bites altogether.

• Know tick habitat and take precautions in areas where ticks may live.
• Wear light-colored clothing that covers the arms and legs; tuck pants into socks.
• Use an EPA-approved repellent like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on skin; use permethrin on clothing.
• Check for ticks daily and after any outdoor activity. Check family members and pets too.
• Ask a veterinarian about tick bite prevention for cats and dogs.
• Remove your clothing when you get home and put it in the dryer before washing. Use high heat for 10-15 minutes to kill any crawling ticks that have not attached to you.