FREEPORT
A field epidemiologist will discuss the increasing incidence of tick- and mosquitoborne infections during an meeting set for Wednesday.
Kate Colby, field epidemiologist from Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, will speak from 5 to 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Colby will present general information focused on the prevention of tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, mosquitoborne infections such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and rashes caused by browntail moths.
“We are concerned about the increasing rates of Lyme disease across the state,” Colby said. “And we’re starting to see more West Nile and Triple E in mosquitoes, and seeing it test positive in moose and other animals.”
The session is sponsored by the town and Maine CDC.
“The main goal is prevention of tick-borne disease,” she said.
Colby said, the Mid-coast is a problem area for skin rashes caused by browntail moths.
The idea, said Town Manager Peter Joseph, is to increase awareness.
“From a public health perspective,” Joseph said, “all three of these things can happen around here.”
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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