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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update June 13, 2013 In this update: Lyme disease Pertussis (whooping cough) Listeria Summer health Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus Follow us Lyme disease Lyme disease continues to be a growing concern in Maine, with 1,111 cases reported across the state in 2012. Health care providers should remember: • Prompt removal of ticks is important, as the tick must be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit the bacteria; • All cases of Lyme disease should be reported, including cases clinically diagnosed by an erythema migrans rash; • Lyme disease should be treated immediately upon recognition; • Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis are both endemic in Maine, and should be considered along with Lyme disease. PCR is the preferred testing method for both diseases. Maine CDC issued a health alert May 30 with this and other information in it. The health alert is available at http://go.usa.gov/bnhR Maine CDC is dedicated to increasing awareness of the disease and is co-sponsoring free, public Lyme disease prevention forums throughout the state this summer. The goal of these forums is to educate Maine residents about prevention and early detection of the disease. Each forum will have a presentation about Lyme disease followed by a Q & A session. Lyme disease experts including physicians, epidemiologists, veterinarians, biologists, and pesticide experts will be at the forums to answer specific questions and educate the public on the broader Lyme disease prevention work going on in Maine. Forums have already been held in Lewiston, Rockland, and Portland. Another is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Ellsworth Town Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth. More forums are planned and will be announced when scheduled. Questions? Please email [EMAIL REDACTED] For general information about Lyme disease, visit http://go.usa.gov/yTh ---PAGE BREAK--- Pertussis (whooping cough) There have been 151 reported cases of pertussis so far this year, compared to 146 for the same period last year. Maine had a total of 737 pertussis cases in 2012. Pertussis is a cyclical disease, but it continues to be an issue in the state. 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 guidance and information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO Listeria This month’s Vital Signs feature from US CDC focuses on protecting people from deadly Listeria food poisoning. If you, or someone you make food for, are pregnant, 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, you must be especially careful when selecting, preparing, and storing foods. • Know your risk of food poisoning. • Select, prepare, and store food safely. • Follow the safe food guidelines at www.FoodSafety.gov For more information, go to http://go.usa.gov/bnhR Summer health As the weather starts warming up, make sure you know how to keep your summer safe and healthy. Know how to avoid: • Carbon monoxide poisoning: http://go.usa.gov/b4ST • Recreational water illnesses: http://go.usa.gov/b4S9 • Heat-related illnesses: http://go.usa.gov/b4SJ Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus A new disease called “Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV) has been getting a lot of media attention after it caused severe illness and death in adults from several countries. There are currently no reported cases in the United States. US CDC has developed a brief feature with more information at http://go.usa.gov/bQx8 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]