In an ongoing effort to provide the most up-to-date information on respiratory illnesses related to e-cigarette use, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is sharing this advisory from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The purpose of this health advisory is to alert clinicians to reports of severe pulmonary disease linked to e-cigarette product use, or "vaping".
Maine CDC is aware of cases of varicella (chickenpox) in individuals who are staying at the Portland Expo Center. Varicella is a contagious viral disease that can spread easily to individuals who have not had varicella and have not gotten the varicella vaccine. There are several diseases that can cause a febrile rash in children, so Maine CDC encourages laboratory testing when assessing patients when possible. If diagnosed with varicella, patients may return to their congregate living setting if clinically stable and indicated by a provider.
The purpose of this health advisory is to alert clinicians to the potential for human Powassan encephalitis disease activity in Maine and to consider testing for Powassan in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis or high fever (100.4F or 38C) during the summer and early fall.
Maine CDC was notified of a human case of Powassan encephalitis (POW) in a Maine resident who resides in southern Maine. The individual was symptomatic in late June and hospitalized. CDC Fort Collins confirmed the Powassan result in this individual.
In the greater Bangor area, Penobscot County, Maine, physicians have reported 6 confirmed cases of legionellosis from November 2018 to the present. This is an increase from the 5-year median of 3.2 cases for Penobscot County. Cases range in age from over 50 to under 85 years old. Maine CDC is actively investigating the cases and has not identified a common exposure among cases.
Maine CDC continues to support the City of Portland in connection with asylum seekers residing at The Expo. The response has involved conducting health screenings, providing vaccinations, and offering assistance through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Maine CDC has worked with health clinics, hospitals, and community organizations such as Greater Portland Health, Maine Medical Center, and The Opportunity Alliance throughout this effort.
To date, Maine CDC has provided the following services:
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 arboviral disease in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis or high fever (100.4F or 38C) during the summer and early fall.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is providing this update on hepatitis A cases in the state in 2019.
Providers or labs reported 24 cases of acute hepatitis A to date this year in Maine. Of these cases, six occurred last week and one case is currently under investigation in an out-of-state resident tested in Maine. Nine cases are linked to exposures at a restaurant in Caribou, and five cases are linked to an ongoing outbreak in New Hampshire. The remaining cases are sporadic.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified three additional cases of hepatitis A virus infection in Aroostook County since the last update on June 18, 2019. There is now a total of nine confirmed hepatitis A cases in Aroostook County since May 17, 2019. All nine cases are linked to exposures at a restaurant in Caribou. There is no ongoing risk to the public from eating at this restaurant, nor is there any ongoing risk to the public as a result of the original case.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified three additional cases of hepatitis A virus infection in Aroostook County over the past week. There are now six confirmed hepatitis A cases in Aroostook County since May 17, 2019. All six cases are linked to exposures at a restaurant in Caribou. There is no ongoing risk to the public from eating at this restaurant, nor is there any ongoing risk to the public as a result of the original case.
