A Maine turkey recently tested positive for the eastern equine encephalitis virus, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The Burnham bird is the first bird that officials were able to officially diagnose with the virus, which is also known as “Triple E.” The virus is spread by mosquitoes, and can be transmitted from animal to animal or from animal to humans.
The virus, which is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, can not be transmitted between humans, or from humans to animals. There are no reported cases of humans being infected with EEE this year, according to the DIF&W.
The turkey is the third incidence of a mosquito-borne virus being detected in Maine. The West Nile virus was detected in a crow on Mount Desert Island this week, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
At least 15 birds have tested positive for West Nile virus this summer.
Earlier this year, Orono residents were warned that mosquitoes in the area were carrying the Jamestown Canyon virus. At least four pools of mosquitoes in Maine have been identified as potentially carrying the virus, the DIF&W said Tuesday afternoon.
This is the earliest in the year that all three mosquito-borne viruses present in Maine have been detected and reported by state officials. It is the second year in a row that all three viruses have been detected in Maine.
Many people who do get infected by EEE, Jamestown Canyon virus or the West Nile virus do not show symptoms. Once symptoms like brain swelling and inflammation of the spinal cord set in, they can be deadly.
You can try to limit exposure to mosquitoes by wearing repellent, wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts to lessen the amount of uncovered skin and trying to stay inside around dawn and dusk, as those times are when mosquitoes are most active.
