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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update May 2, 2013 In this update: Hepatitis Lyme disease Measles Flu Pertussis (whooping cough) Animal rabies Follow us Hepatitis In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, Maine CDC is featuring a three-part series on viral hepatitis in public health updates released in May. Part 1: Vaccinating MSM against Hepatitis A and B Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at elevated risk for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, many MSM have not been adequately vaccinated against viral hepatitis. Approximately 15%– 25% of all new Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in the United States are among MSM. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccination for MSM. Because of higher rates of infection among this population, CDC also recommends testing MSM for chronic HBV infection. For free adult hepatitis vaccine sites: http://go.usa.gov/TmWA For more information: http://go.usa.gov/TmWJ Lyme disease May is also Lyme Disease Awareness Month. 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. Anaplasma, Babesia, and other tickborne diseases are also increasing in Maine. Maine CDC has issued a health alert (available at http://go.usa.gov/Tmkd) to provide general information regarding ticks and Lyme disease; remind providers to report cases of Lyme disease; provide resources on diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease; and remind providers about other tickborne diseases in Maine. Information about Lyme Disease Awareness Month is available at http://go.usa.gov/yTS For general information about Lyme disease, visit http://go.usa.gov/yTh Measles Maine CDC issued a health alert on April 25 about a confirmed case of measles in an out-of-state resident who visited several businesses and academic institutions throughout the state on April 16, 2013. Maine clinicians are asked to increase surveillance for rash illness suggestive of measles to identify early potential cases and prevent the spread of disease. Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory illness. For more information, see the health alert at http://go.usa.gov/Tm8A ---PAGE BREAK--- Flu Maine CDC issued a health alert on April 9 with information about human infections with novel influenza A (H7N9) viruses. So far, there is no evidence of ongoing human-to-human transmission. No cases have been identified in Maine; the health alert was issued for informational purposes. The health alert is available at: http://go.usa.gov/TDsR Maine CDC reported sporadic seasonal flu activity for the week ending April 27. Weekly updates are available online: • for Maine: http://go.usa.gov/NoK • for the US: http://go.usa.gov/ITB • for the world: http://go.usa.gov/ITK Up to date information is posted at www.maineflu.gov. • Guidance and recommendations for health care providers: http://go.usa.gov/2Yxw • Information for the public: http://go.usa.gov/2Yxe Pertussis (whooping cough) Reported cases of pertussis appear to be on a downward trend, but cases do continue to be reported. DTaP vaccine is recommended for all infants and children. Tdap vaccine is recommended for all preteens, teens, and adults. Maine CDC encourages health care providers to continue to follow guidelines from the July 31 health alert available at: http://go.usa.gov/Gob. For guidance and information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO Animal rabies Maine CDC provides quarterly updates on animal rabies to veterinarians and other animal health professionals. Results are based on animals submitted and tested at the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) following exposure to a human or domestic animal. USDA APHIS Wildlife Services performs supplemental surveillance for rabid animals with no human or domestic animal exposure. The number of rabid animals statewide may not be representative of the true incidence of animal rabies in Maine. The first quarter 2013 report is available at http://go.usa.gov/TmXN 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]