The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/26sqGeV ) reported Maine has seen 19 confirmed cases in the first quarter of the year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state only saw five cases during the period last year. There were 31 for the whole year.

Keel Kemper is a regional wildlife biologist for the state Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. He says the mild winter is a likely reason for the increase in rabies cases.

All 19 of the cases this year have involved skunks and raccoons. Foxes and bats might also carry it. The last human case in Maine was in 1997. It was fatal.