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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update September 5, 2013 In this update: Public Health Accreditation Update Giardia Tick-borne diseases Flu Mosquito-borne diseases Pertussis (whooping cough) Heart disease and stroke Upcoming events Follow us Public Health Accreditation Update The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) awarded national accreditation status to five more public health departments on August 20. This means there are now 19 public health agencies (two states and 17 local) that have achieved accreditation. Hundreds of health departments, including Maine CDC, are currently preparing to seek national accreditation. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer- reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of public health quality standards and measures. “The country should be proud of health departments that continue to demonstrate their capacity to meet the national public health accreditation standards,” said PHAB President and CEO Kaye Bender. “Overall, the willingness to have others assess your health department’s ability to meet national public health standards…is an inspiration to all of us working in public health,” said PHAB Board of Directors Vice Chair Leslie M. Beitsch. The Maine CDC continues to prepare for this process and plans to submit its application to be accredited in January 2014. “I’m gratified by all of the work that has been done by Maine CDC programs to prepare for accreditation,” said Maine CDC Director Dr. Sheila Pinette. “We are proud of our staff and to be a part of this important national movement in public health.” To learn more about the Public Health Accreditation program, visit http://www.phaboard.org, or contact Maine CDC’s Accreditation Coordinator, Kate Marone, at [EMAIL REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- Giardia Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by parasites, and it is the most common infectious diarrheal illness reported in Maine. So far in 2013, there have been 131 cases of Giardia reported in Maine, compared to 122 in all of 2012. Giardiasis tends to occur more frequently in the summer and fall months. Individuals at greatest risk of infection with Giardia include people swallowing contaminated drinking water (such as backpackers or campers), travelers to endemic countries, and people with close contact with infected individuals (including childcare settings) and infected animals. For more information, go to http://go.usa.gov/DTrF Tick-borne diseases Babesiosis, is a parasitic infection transmitted the same tick that carries Lyme disease, is an emerging infection in Maine. Seventeen cases of babesiosis were reported between January and mid-August, compared to a total of 10 cases in 2012. Most infections occur in the summer and fall months, so the number of 2013 cases is expected to rise. Other diseases are also carried by ticks in Maine, including anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. For more information: • Info on tick-borne diseases: http://go.usa.gov/jtFJ • To order tick educational materials: http://go.usa.gov/jtMY • Aug. 15 health alert on babesiosis: http://go.usa.gov/jtMB • May 30 health alert on Lyme disease: http://go.usa.gov/bnhR Flu Weekly updates on flu activity will resume in October. Maine CDC reminds everyone to take everyday preventive measures against the flu: • Wash your hands frequently • Cough and sneeze into your elbow or shoulder • Stay home when you feel sick • Get vaccinated US CDC has published a summary of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the 2013-2014 flu season at http://go.usa.gov/jdfB The Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for this coming season’s vaccines are available at http://go.usa.gov/jdAC Mosquito-borne diseases Maine CDC has confirmed the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in mosquito pools from York County. Regionally, all of our surrounding states have also identified EEE in 2013. Maine CDC will update information on mosquito-borne disease surveillance in the state every Monday through September at http://go.usa.gov/jt6R Although West Nile Virus (WNV) has not been identified in Maine yet this season, it may also be present and precautions are the same. EEE and WNV are viruses transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Maine CDC recommends the following preventative measures to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses: • Use an Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellent when outdoors, especially around dawn and dusk. Always follow the instructions on the product’s label; • Wear protective clothing when outdoors, including long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks; • Keep window and door screens down to keep mosquitoes out of the home; • Limit time outdoors at dawn and dusk when many species of mosquitoes are most active; • Remove containers holding water in and around the home, as water can attract mosquitoes. Information on pesticides and repellents is available at the Maine Board of Pesticides Control website at: http://go.usa.gov/jt6F ---PAGE BREAK--- Pertussis (whooping cough) Pertussis (whooping cough) is a cyclical disease that continues to affect a significant number of Maine residents. Maine CDC issued an update on statewide pertussis on July 30, which can be found at http://go.usa.gov/jdfe There have been 244 reported cases of pertussis so far this year in Maine. This is less than the 476 reported cases for the same period last year, but is more than the five-year median. Oxford county has the highest rate of pertussis in the state, and the majority of cases have occurred in people ages 7-19. Maine CDC encourages providers continue to test and treat patients. DTaP vaccine is recommended for all infants and children. Tdap vaccine is recommended for all preteens, teens, and adults. For more guidance and information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO Heart disease and stroke Nearly 1 in 3 deaths in the US each year is caused by heart disease and stroke. At least 200,000 of these deaths could have been prevented through changes in health habits, such as stopping smoking, more physical activity, and less salt in the diet; community changes to create healthier living spaces, such as safe places to exercise and smoke-free areas; and managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. US CDC discusses the problem and what can be done in this month’s Vital Signs at http://go.usa.gov/D2Uj Upcoming events • The annual tea to recognize National Suicide Prevention Day and the work of the Maine Suicide Prevention Program will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Blaine House in Augusta. Advance registration is required by 3 p.m. Friday. To register, RSVP to [EMAIL REDACTED] or [PHONE REDACTED]. (Attendees who are not pre-registered will not be allowed into the event.) • Maine CDC’s 2013 Division of Infectious Disease Conference will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Augusta Civic Center. The conference website is now live at http://www.cvent.com/d/pcqy5p The website includes a summary, agenda, conference brochure, information about fees, and the link to register. Follow us Follow Maine CDC’s Social Media Updates: • Facebook (www.facebook.com/MaineCDC) • Twitter (http://twitter.com/MEPublicHealth) • Blog (http://mainepublichealth.blogspot.com) You may subscribe to these updates for free through an RSS feed at http://go.usa.gov/G6u. In Internet Explorer and Firefox, you will be prompted to Subscribe to the Feed and then select the folder where feeds are stored. For clinical consultation and outbreak management guidance, call Maine CDC’s toll-free 24-hour phone line: 1-[PHONE REDACTED] For questions and potential exposure to poison, call the Poison Center’s 24-hour phone line: 1-[PHONE REDACTED]