AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Maine's state veterinarian is describing an outbreak of eastern equine encephalitis as "unprecedented."

EDITOR'S NOTE: The individual with the llama suspect is a member of MLLA and has reported back that their animal has reported NEGATIVE for EEE.

Don Hoenig confirmed Tuesday that five additional cases are suspected in Maine four in horses and one in a llama. That's on top of six cases that were confirmed previously.

The disease is spread through mosquitoes, and humans can get it from mosquitoes as well. So far, no humans have been infected with the potentially fatal brain infection in Maine, but health officials are warning residents to be vigilant in avoiding mosquito bites.

Dr. Dora Anne Mills tells the Bangor Daily News that the horse deaths are "a strong red flag that the risk of EEE is much greater than we thought."

Source: http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3ec0c41e-www.wgme.com.shtml

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