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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update August 8, 2013 In this update: Public Health Accreditation Update Pertussis (whooping cough) Tick-borne diseases Summer health Flu Mosquito-borne diseases Updated reports Upcoming events Follow us Public Health Accreditation Update Maine CDC continues to prepare for national accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), and is on track to submit an application in January 2014. About 25 employees representing all of Maine CDC’s Divisions currently participate in teams dedicated to each of the 12 accreditation domains. These teams are tasked to review the accreditation guidance and select the documents that best demonstrate that Maine CDC meets the accreditation standards. Additionally, there are several large accreditation-related projects currently underway, including the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and the enhanced Performance Management System. Maine CDC thanks the many public health partners who participated in developing the objectives and strategies for the SHIP. As Maine CDC gets closer to accreditation, we will continue to provide short updates here in every other issue. 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] 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 210 reported cases of pertussis so far this year in Maine. This is less than the 354 reported cases for the same period last year, but is more than the five-year median of 60 pertussis cases. 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 ---PAGE BREAK--- Tick-borne diseases Lyme disease continues to be a growing concern in Maine, with more than a thousand 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 For general information about tick-borne diseases, visit http://go.usa.gov/jCKw Summer health 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 • Contracting or spreading illness at agricultural fairs: http://go.usa.gov/jC5Y For more information, see this press release: http://go.usa.gov/b6He Flu US CDC has published a summary of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the 2013-2014 flu season. The summary is available at http://go.usa.gov/jdfB The full recommendations will be published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for this coming season’s vaccines are available at http://go.usa.gov/jdAC Mosquito-borne diseases Arboviral diseases, including Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV), are very serious infections that are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although rare, these diseases have potentially severe and even fatal consequences for those who contract them. Arboviral activity has already been detected in the New England region this year, with a mosquito collection testing positive for West Nile virus in Massachusetts. Maine CDC issued a health advisory for health care providers on July 8 to alert them to the potential for human disease activity in Maine, and to consider testing for arboviral disease in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis, or fever (≥100.4°F or 38°C) during the summer and early fall. For more information, see the health advisory at http://go.usa.gov/jCX9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Updated reports • Maine CDC provides quarterly updates on animal rabies to veterinarians and other animal health professionals, based on animals submitted and tested at the state Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory, following exposure to a human or domestic animal. . The update for April 1-June 30 is available at http://go.usa.gov/jd7P • US CDC has issued an MMWR with vaccination rates for kindergartners for the 2012-2013 school year. It is available at http://go.usa.gov/jdsT Upcoming events Maine CDC’s 2013 Division of Infectious Disease Conference will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on 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]