Do all mosquitoes spread WNV and EEE?
A. No. There are approximately 42 different species of mosquitoes in Maine. Some of them have habitats that overlap, and others have separate habitats based on their specific breeding requirements. Some mosquitoes feed on birds, some on mammals, and a few on both birds and mammals. The mosquitoes of most concern are those that feed on both birds and mammals; these are called “bridge” vectors. This type of mosquito may become infected with an arbovirus by feeding on an infected bird, and then later feed on a human, thus providing the “bridge” that allows arboviruses to spread to humans. Q. If I live in an area where birds or mosquitoes with WNV or EEE have been reported and a mosquito bites me, am I likely to get sick? A. No. Even in areas where these viruses are circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected. Even if the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bi
A. No. There are approximately 42 different species of mosquitoes in Maine. Some of them have habitats that overlap, and others have separate habitats based on their specific breeding requirements. Some mosquitoes feed on birds, some on mammals, and a few on both birds and mammals. The mosquitoes of most concern are those that feed on both birds and mammals; these are called bridge vectors. This type of mosquito may become infected with an arbovirus by feeding on an infected bird, and then later feed on a human, thus providing the bridge that allows arboviruses to spread to humans. Q. If I live in an area where birds or mosquitoes with WNV or EEE have been reported and a mosquito bites me, am I likely to get sick? A. No. Even in areas where these viruses are circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected. Even if the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite a
