Extremely Rare Tick-Borne Virus Discovered in Maine

Proof was recently found that a very rare tick-borne disease, called the Heartland virus, has made it to Maine.

"Heartland virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Most cases have been reported from states in the Midwestern and Southern United States."

According to an article by Fox 23, the tick has infected six people already. The article goes on to say that this virus is,

"carried by the lone star tick, which is not widespread in Maine. So while tick experts say it's important to stay on top of the disease, there is no reason to panic."

We Mainers are used to ticks and I personally am not surprised that their has been another tick-borne virus found in our state. The University of Maine did a study and it reported that their are 15 different types of tick species found in Maine. The report goes onto say,

"Some may arrive in the state on wildlife hosts and do not establish viable populations. "

And this is exactly what Fox 23's article is saying. That even though there is evidence of this rare tick-borne virus, they may not create a large population, therefore you should not panic.

The director of the University of Maine, Griffin Dill says,

“It could potentially appear here but it could be one of those things that an infected tick brought in and it fed on deer but will not establish a population.”

Their were antibodies that were found in deer and that is how it was confirmed that the virus had traveled here.

If you are concerned about tick symptoms, here is what you should look for, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. People will experience fatigue, fever, decreased appetite, nausea, headache, muscle/joint pain, or diarrhea.

If you'd like to find out more symptoms, please visit the CDC for more information.

The article also states that the rare, Heartland tick-borne virus, has already been found in people living in the following states: Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

20 of the Scariest Maine Animals to be Watching you from the Outside

A local raccoon became quite the celebrity the other day when he peaked into a home in Cutler, Maine.

The image was more cute and comedic than anything. However, it did inspire this list of the 20 scariest animals a Mainer would not want to see peaking into their house.

Warning, this list is quite frightening.

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Source: Extremely Rare Tick-Borne Virus Discovered in Maine