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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update April 18, 2013 In this update: Coping with stress Flu Dense breast tissue Lyme disease Pertussis (whooping cough) Follow us Coping with stress Maine CDC staff offers sympathy to all those affected by the bombings in Boston on Patriot’s Day. US CDC has some excellent tips for dealing with stress following such a disaster or other stressful situation available at http://go.usa.gov/TDtT Flu Novel Influenza A (H7N9) 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 US CDC has issued Interim Guidance for Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings When Caring for Patients with Confirmed, Probable, or Cases Under Investigation of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infection, which is available at http://go.usa.gov/TDH3 In addition, US CDC has posted a listing of publications and resources at http://go.usa.gov/TDHT Seasonal Flu Maine CDC reported regional flu activity for the week ending April 13. 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 Dense breast tissue As directed by LD 1886 Resolve Directing Review of Strategies to Improve Communication between Patients and Physicians, a work group met in the Summer of 2012 to address the issue of breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue. The work group reviewed breast imaging standards, the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, and breast imaging reporting requirements and their impact on reporting of screening mammography results when dense breast tissue is noted by the interpreting physician. The work group had a full discussion of issues associated with early detection breast cancer screening options for women with dense breast tissue, including input from both the patient and health care provider perspective. The work group developed recommended strategies for improving communication between patients and health care providers when a screening mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue. A copy of the LD 1886 Resolve Work Group Final Report and recommended strategies is available at http://go.usa.gov/TDHA ---PAGE BREAK--- Lyme disease Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine and May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. 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 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 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]