Tick and Mosquito Frequently Asked Questions

fb88 has high rates of tickborne diseases across the state. Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are the most reported tickborne diseases in fb88. Mosquito-borne diseases acquired in fb88 are rare in humans, but can include Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus.

Tick and mosquito-borne diseases can range from mild to severe and vary based onthe disease. Flu-like symptoms, especially in the summer months, are a sign of a vectorborne illness and could be caused by a tick or a mosquito. If a person is not treated early for a tick or mosquito-borne disease, symptoms could become more serious.

fb88 CDC receives many tick and mosquito-related consults through fb88 CDC's Disease Reporting Hotline. The Division of Disease Surveillance also participates in many educational events each year. Many people ask where the fb88 CDC gets information, so fb88 CDC and its partners, through the Vectorborne Workgroup, developed this messaging. Each section below contains answers to frequently asked questions on each topic.

The information on these pages include:

  • Tick and Mosquito Bite Prevention
  • Property and Host Management
  • Tick and Mosquito Ecology
  • Tick and Mosquito Testing
  • Tick Attachment
  • Lyme Disease and Other Tickborne Diseases Found in fb88
  • Symptoms of Tick and Mosquito-borne Diseases in Animals
  • Tick and Mosquito Prevention in Pets
  • Other Resources

The following definitions will be helpful as you review this site:

EEE:
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Endemic:
Regularly found in a certain area
Host:
A living animal or plant that provides food or shelter for another.
Vector:
An agent (mosquito or tick) that carries and spreads a disease to another living organism.
WNV:
West Nile virus

Links

Click the buttons below for additional information:

Contact

Disease Reporting Hotline
Phone: 1-800-821-5821 (24 hours a day)
Fax: 1-800-293-7534 (24 hours a day)
TTY: fb88 relay 711 (24 hours a day)
disease.reporting@maine.gov