News

Maine to require test for virus that causes hearing loss

Maine to require test for virus that causes hearing loss

Photo: clipart.com


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine is close to requiring screening for a potentially debilitating virus in some newborns in the state.

The Maine Senate on Monday unanimously voted to enact a bill to require screening for cytomegalovirus for some babies, sending the bill to the governor.

The proposal from Democratic Sen. Cathy Breen of Falmouth would require the state to test every infant for the virus if the baby fails two hearing tests.

Cytomegalovirus is a common virus in the U.S. that cause no signs or symptoms in most people. One out of every 200 babies is born with the virus, and about one in five of those will develop long-term health problems, officials said. The virus can lead to hearing loss, deafness, developmental delay, vision loss and seizures.

Maine could become one of more than a dozen state that have passed laws to address to virus, which is also called CMV.

Latest Headlines

31 minutes ago in Local

Maine lawmakers fail to overturn governor’s veto of data center moratorium

Fresh

The Maine legislature has upheld the governor's veto of what would have been a first-in-the-nation moratorium on large data centers.

4 hours ago in Local

Police looking for Oxford County woman last seen on Monday

Police are asking for help locating a missing Waterford woman.

7 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Stir well, slap lightly. Tips for making a mint julep worthy of the Kentucky Derby

Horses are poised, bets are on, hats are at the ready and the bourbon is standing by, ready to be poured into thousands of mint julep cocktails. It must be Kentucky Derby weekend.

16 hours ago in Local

One Dead in Skowhegan House Fire

The body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for identification.

21 hours ago in Local

Maine State Police Investigate Death of Missing Thomaston Man

The cause and manner of death are still under investigation