Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) identified additional cases of acute hepatitis A virus infection in Aroostook County. Close contacts at risk are already being notified. The only risk to the public identified by Maine CDC at this time involves a Presque Isle food service worker.
The Presque Isle case served food and drink while infectious on May 26, 2019 and June 2, 2019.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is reporting a case of meningococcal disease in a student who attends Wiscasset Middle High School. Lab tests confirmed the case on June 11, 2019. Maine CDC has informed Wiscasset Middle High School as well as local medical facilities of the case, and is working with them to notify exposed individuals. The student attended two public events during their infectious period: the Wiscasset Middle High School Alumni Banquet on Saturday, June 1st and the Wiscasset Middle High School Graduation on Thursday, June 6th.
This update is intended to provide accurate information about public health developments in the northern region of the state. There is no risk to the public from these cases.
On May 17, Maine CDC announced a case of hepatitis A in a Caribou food service worker. In response, Public Health Nurses and local hospitals administered approximately 1,350 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine to individuals in Aroostook County.
The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine and Massachusetts are the only states in the U.S. experiencing problems with this moth. The tiny, microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting the first case of measles in Maine this year. Maine CDC confirmed the case on May 20th, 2019. The case involves a school aged child from Somerset County. The child was vaccinated, did not have any serious complications, and is fully recovered from the disease. Maine CDC is working with the family and clinicians to identify exposed contacts and to assess contacts for evidence of immunity. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in a Caribou, Maine food service worker. The case prepped food while infectious from April 24, 2019 thru May 13, 2019. A public health assessment of the employee's illness determined that restaurant patrons may be at risk for hepatitis A infection.
Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Ticks are already out and we expect the number of Lyme disease cases to increase as the weather continues to get warmer. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and we want to encourage Mainers to use the "Tick Aware and Tick Alert" strategies to stay tick free.
The purpose of this advisory is to:
May is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month. Maine CDC urges clinicians to understand the burden of hepatitis B and C in Maine and to follow key recommendations for testing and prevention. All persons at risk for hepatitis B and C should be tested and those who are susceptible should be vaccinated forhepatitis A and hepatitis B.
