• Read more about Influenza Arrives in Maine

Influenza has arrived in Maine. Multiple Maine facilities reported influenza positive rapid results in recent weeks, and Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) has just confirmed two cases using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time-RT PCR) testing. Both specimens tested positive for influenza A/H3. These individuals are adults who were not hospitalized. One patient was unvaccinated, and the vaccine status remains unknown for the other.

• Read more about Booster Doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended, administration of a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for certain individuals.

• Read more about US CDC: Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness Associated with Use of Products Containing Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19

This Health Advisory from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being posted by Maine CDC to ensure widest visibility.

• Read more about Increased Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Maine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is circulating in Maine at a higher rate than usual for this time of year. Health care providers should consider testing patients with acute respiratory illness for RSV. To prevent transmission of RSV and other respiratory viruses, people with respiratory symptoms should refrain from in-person work, school, or daycare while acutely ill. This recommendation applies even if they have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

• Read more about Use of an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose after an initial 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series for immunocompromised people

On August 12, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration modified the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for administration of an additional dose (i.e., a third dose) of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after an initial 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series for certain immunocompromised people.

• Read more about Maine DEP Issues Air Quality Alert for Thursday, August 12th

This message from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is being forwarded by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure widest visibility.

• Read more about Health Risks from Extreme Heat this Week

Maine will experience extremely hot and humid weather this week. The Maine CDC would like to remind health care providers, caregivers, and public health professionals to identify those in their care at increased risk and advise them to take precautions to prevent heat illness.

• Read more about Cluster of Legionellosis Cases - Greater Bangor Area

In the greater Bangor area, Penobscot County, Maine, physicians have reported 4 confirmed cases of legionellosis from July 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021, 3 of which required intubation. Cases range in age from 38 to 67 years old. Maine CDC has not identified a common exposure among cases.

• Read more about Varicella Testing and Reporting Recommendations

Maine CDC is seeing a rise in the number of reported cases of varicella (chickenpox). Varicella is a notifiable condition in Maine, and all confirmed or suspect cases of varicella should be reported to Maine CDC.

The number of reported cases of varicella decreased in 2020, likely due to reduced person-to-person transmission because of COVID-19 restrictions. Since January 1, 2021, Maine has identified 46 cases of varicella from all 16 counties (data as of 07/29/2021), including two outbreaks in child care facilities.

• Read more about Standing Order for COVID-19 Testing

On July 1, 2021, Maine CDC issued a revised Standing Order ("Order") that authorizes health care providers or other trained personnel at a health care facility or medically supervised COVID collection site (collection site) in the state to collect and submit specimens of SARS-CoV-2 for molecular or antigen-based testing.