[MaineSchoolNurse] Maine CDC Alert re: risks of mosquito bites/mosquito-borne diseases

[DeCato, Sarah]

Good Morning-

Sharing with you for reference the most current Maine CDC alert regarding risk of mosquito bites/mosquito-borne diseases:


Though temperatures are cooling off, Maine still has plenty of active mosquitoes. This is the first year that the Maine CDC has reported EEE, WNV, and Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) in mosquito pools in Maine in a single season. The Maine CDC has not reported any human case for any of these viruses in Maine, so far this year. Mosquitoes are still active, so the risk of mosquito-borne diseases remains.



Mosquitoes can spread several viruses to people in Maine that can cause disease, including eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and West Nile virus (WNV). Symptoms of these illnesses include flu-like symptoms, like fever and chills, fatigue, headache, and body and muscle pain. Some people can get severe illness, including neck pain and stiffness, confusion, inflammation of the brain, and coma. Some people die of these illnesses.



Given the continued level of mosquito activity, the Maine CDC recommends the following actions and resources to help protect your community during school and events.

  *   Encourage the use of EPA-approved repellents when outside. School nurses can apply repellent with parental permission.
  *   Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. This may include rescheduling sporting practices/games and other outdoor events.
  *   People should wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors where mosquitoes are active.
  *   Drain artificial sources of standing water on school property. These provide prime mosquito breeding habitat.



The Maine CDC has many educational materials available to help you encourage mosquito bite prevention:



  *   Fact Sheets
     *   Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/eee/documents/EEE-FS.pdf>
     *   Jamestown Canyon Virus<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/shm/Jamestown-Canyon-Virus-FS.pdf>
     *   West Nile Virus<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/documents/West-Nile-Virus-FS.pdf>
     *   EPA-Approved Repellents<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/documents/Repellent-FS.pdf>
  *   Posters
     *   Fight the Bite (available to download or order at www.maine.gov/dhhs/order<http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/order>)
     *   Mosquito Bite Prevention Checklist: Protect Yourself and Your Family<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/documents/Town-Mosquito-Bite-Prevention-Checklist.pdf>
     *   Mosquito Bite Prevention Checklist: Protect Your Home<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/documents/Town-Mosquito-Breeding-Prevention-Checklist.pdf>
  *   School Resources
     *   School Health Manual<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/shm/index.shtml>
     *   School Integrated Pest Management Program<https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/integrated_pest_management/school/index.shtml>
     *   School Pest Solutions: Mosquitoes<https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/integrated_pest_management/school/pest-solutions/documents/me-school-ipm-factsheet_mosquitoes_8-15.pdf>
     *   Tick and Mosquito School Curriculum<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/school-curriculum/index.shtml>





You can find more information, including presentations, videos, data, and more at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne<http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne>.





_____________________________________


Sarah DeCato, MSN, RN, NCSN (She/Her)
School Nurse Specialist-Coordinated School Health
Office of School and Student Supports
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: sarah.decato at maine.gov<mailto:sarah.decato at maine.gov>
Phone: 207-441-3812
Maine DOE<http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/mdoenews> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom<https://mainedoenews.net/> |Maine Guidelines for School Health <https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines>


[cid:6462f99f-d1a5-4535-956e-e739a09d23ec]      [cid:39f62af8-9aaa-4a61-9f28-5350d0e136be]






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