• Read more about U.S. CDC: Disruptions in Availability of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC Blood Culture Bottles

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform healthcare providers, laboratory professionals, healthcare facility administrators, and state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments of a critical shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC^TM blood culture media bottles. This shortage has the potential to disrupt patient care by leading to delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or other challenges in the clinical management of patients with certain infectious diseases.

• Read more about Arbovirus Update for Health Care Providers in Maine

Maine CDC recently confirmed that a mosquito pool (a batch of 1-50 mosquitoes) collected from Orono in Penobscot County tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus. This is the first local mosquito pool to test positive for any arbovirus this year.

The purpose of this health advisory is to alert clinicians to the potential for human arboviral disease activity in Maine and to consider testing for mosquito-borne arboviruses in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis, or fever (100.4F or 38C) during the summer and fall, particularly among returning travelers.

• Read more about Addressing Substantial Gaps in Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment

Hepatitis C infections have risen nationally in recent years, with Maine reporting the highest rate of acute infections in the country in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The rise in hepatitis C infections across the country has been linked to injection drug use and significant gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

• Read more about Influenza-Associated Pediatric Death

Maine CDC has identified an influenza-associated pediatric death. This is the only influenza-associated pediatric death reported for the 2023-2024 influenza season. The child tested positive for influenza B Victoria. Influenza circulates in Maine throughout the year, at higher levels from early October to mid-May.

Clinicians should:

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Increased Risk of Dengue Virus Infections in the United States

Please take a moment to review this U.S. CDC health advisory about an increased risk of dengue virus infections in the U.S. in connection with a global surge in dengue activity and several key actions that clinicians can take to recognize dengue in people with fever and pertinent travel, order appropriate testing, ensure timely reporting to public health authorities, and promote prevention measures in areas where dengue transmission may occur.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Disrupted Access to Prescription Stimulant Medications Could Increase Risk of Injury and Overdose

Please take a moment to review this health advisory about disrupted access to prescription stimulant medications related to a federal health care fraud indictment against a large telehealth company that provides ADHD treatment. This disruption could impact as many as 30,000 to 50,000 patients across the U.S. Patients with disrupted care or access to prescription stimulant medications are at increased risk for overdose if they obtain counterfeit pills that contain unexpected substances such as fentanyl.

• Read more about Air Quality Alert for Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to reach the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' (USG) level on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, according to Air Quality Meteorologists at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

• Read more about Extreme Heat Coming to Maine this Week

After a stretch of relatively cool weather, summer has arrived in Maine, and weather conditions are expected to turn very hot and humid this week. Forecasts suggest that the heat wave will begin on Tuesday, impacting much of the state, and could become record-breaking on Wednesday and Thursday before easing by the weekend. Overnight temperatures are expected to remain high, preventing people from getting relief and causing heat to build up in buildings without air conditioning.

• Read more about Prevention of Perinatal HIV in Maine

Maine CDC recently received notification of an infant with perinatally acquired HIV infection. The last infant in Maine with HIV infection attributed to perinatal transmission was born in 2019. Perinatal HIV infections are rare, with 21 cases of HIV attributed to perinatal transmission in the U.S. in 2021, the last year for which data are available. Perinatal HIV in the U.S. has fallen by more than 95% since the early 1990s. Perinatal HIV transmission occurs when HIV is passed from a pregnant person to their child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

• Read more about Severe Illness Potentially Associated with Consuming Diamond ShruumzTM Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), America's Poison Centers, and state and local partners are investigating reports of severe acute illnesses potentially associated with consuming Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies marketed as containing a proprietary blend of mushroom. As of June 11, 2024, 12 total illnesses and 10 hospitalizations have been reported in eight U.S. states with ongoing efforts to identify other potential cases. The cause of the reported illnesses is not known at this time.