• 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 Avian Flu Updates, All Influenza Specimen Submission Request, Respiratory Viral Testing Availability

In response to an ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in wild birds, poultry, and cattle, clinicians should (1) assess for relevant exposure history in patients with respiratory illness, (2) continue testing for influenza in patients with compatible illness in the summer months, and (3) send all influenza A and influenza B positive specimens to Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) for subtyping.

• Read more about Meningococcal Disease Cases Linked to Travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) has issued a Health Advisory to alert health care providers to cases of meningococcal disease linked to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca which may be performed at any time of year. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage which will take place June 14-19, 2024.

• Read more about 2024 Lyme and Other Tickborne Disease Information

Ticks are already active this year. As the weather continues to get warmer into the spring and summer months, the Maine CDC expects the number of Lyme and other tickborne disease case reports to increase. The purpose of this advisory is to provide healthcare providers with useful information on how to assess and care for patients with possible tickborne disease infections. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and the Maine CDC encourages all Mainers to remember "Little Tick, Big Deal."

• Read more about Health Risks from Browntail Moths

The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine is the only state in the U.S. currently experiencing widespread problems with this moth. The microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions and breathing problems. Providers should be aware of the risk of browntail moth hairs, and the public should know what they can do to help reduce exposure to browntail moth caterpillar hairs. Browntail moth caterpillars are hairy, dark brown caterpillars with two red-orange dots on the back.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections

Please take a moment to review this information on adverse effects linked to counterfeit or mishandled botulism toxin injections in the U.S.

U.S. CDC is reporting an increase of adverse effects associated with botulism toxin injections between the dates of November 4, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Most reported cases received botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes. Currently, states reporting cases include California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York City, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus

Please take a moment to review this information on highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in the U.S.

• Read more about HIV Cluster Update and Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Recommendations

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified three additional new HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Penobscot County. There are now a total of six confirmed cases associated with this cluster; five of the newly diagnosed individuals were unhoused at the time of their diagnosis. Some of the individuals recently diagnosed with HIV had previous contact with the health care system, including missed opportunities for HIV testing.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Increase in Global and Domestic Measles Cases and Outbreaks

Please take a moment to review this information on measles circulation in the U.S. and globally and consider what you can do to prepare for the possibility of measles cases in Maine in the near future.

• Read more about Travel-Related Diseases, Spring 2024

Many Maine residents travel to warmer climates with heightened risk of mosquito-borne or other types of illness particularly during colder months and especially during school and other spring vacations occurring this time of year. In 2024, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has investigated multiple cases of travel-related illness in persons who have recently traveled within or outside the United States. At the same time, many jurisdictions both within and outside the U.S.