BAR HARBOR, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today joined researchers, scientists, health professionals, and Acadia National Park officials to discuss strategies to prevent vector-borne diseases like Lyme and bolster research and education initiatives to help combat these diseases. Senator King toured the Mosquito Project at Sieur de Monts Nature Center and learned about the Tick Project at the Compass Harbor, Schooner Head Trailhead. This spring, Senator King reintroduced the Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act, bipartisan legislation that would help give states and localities the tools they need to fight back against mosquitos and the diseases they carry. 

            “In Maine, the summer months bring with them increased exposure to mosquitos and ticks and the diseases they carry,” Senator King said. “Our state has been battling diseases like Lyme for decades, and it is critical we continue to develop our research and understanding of these vector-borne diseases so we can better protect Maine residents and visitors and further the prevention efforts that keep us safe. Today’s visits provided an on-the-ground look at research, education, and prevention programs, and I will bring this valuable information with me back to Washington.”

 Mosquitoes and ticks in Maine carry a variety of diseases that these vectors can then spread to humans. In recent years, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recorded 1,100 to 1,200 cases of Lyme reported annually in Maine. CDC also believes that the number of people diagnosed each year in the U.S. is roughly 10 times higher. In Maine, this means that approximately 11,000 to 12,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme annually. Ticks may also carry other diseases like Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis, which present with similar symptoms to Lyme disease. Infected mosquitoes most commonly carry West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus. Fewer than ten people in Maine have been reported infected with these diseases in recent years.

Senator King is an original cosponsor of the SMASH Act, which would reauthorize critical public health tools that support states and localities in their mosquito surveillance and control efforts. Specifically, the SMASH Act would improve public health preparedness through laboratory research by reauthorizing the epidemiology laboratory capacity grants under the Public Health Service Act, which support state and local health departments in surveillance for, and response to, infectious diseases. Laboratory capacity plays a pivotal role in preparation for and response to public health threats.

The legislation also requires study, report, and recommendations by the Government Accountability Office regarding existing mosquito and other vector-borne surveillance and control programs.  This analysis will help Congress to identify opportunities to strengthen our public health preparedness programs in partnerships with states and local communities. Ultimately, such analysis will better protect Americans from emerging mosquito-borne infectious diseases.  Applying the lessons learned from responses to public health threats is critical for continuing to optimize our nation’s medical and public health preparedness and response.

In the afternoon, Senator King toured the locally-owned Hinkley Yachts manufacturing facility in Trenton and will deliver a Congressional Record statement to Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Company congratulating it on 130 years of service to the region. In the evening, Senator King will provide remarks on civil discourse and democracy at the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor.

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