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Dr. Sheila Pinette Director, Maine CDC Osteopathic physician Public Health Update July 23, 2013 In this update: Hepatitis Suicide Prevention Trainings Tick-borne diseases Arboviral diseases Summer health Pertussis (whooping cough) Upcoming events Follow us Hepatitis World Hepatitis Day is July 28. In recognition of the day, Maine CDC is highlighting US CDC’s Know Hepatitis B Campaign. Hepatitis B is common worldwide, especially in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In the US, Hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). While AAPIs make up less than 5% of the U.S. population, they account for more than 50% of Americans living with Hepatitis B. One in 12 AAPIs has Hepatitis B. For more information about the campaign, visit http://www.cdc.gov/KnowHepatitisB/ For general information about World Hepatitis Day, go to http://www.cdc.gov/features/worldhepatitisday/ Suicide Prevention Trainings The Maine Suicide Prevention Program has announced its 2013-2014 schedule of trainings. The complete schedule and registration information is available at www.ccsme.org/train/suicideprevention. The Maine Suicide Prevention Program is a statewide suicide prevention initiative led by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in collaboration with the Departments of Education, Labor, Corrections and Public Safety. Its training program is housed at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Maine Office (NAMI Maine) in Augusta and is being delivered through collaboration with Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME) and Maine Primary Care Association (MPCA). For more information about suicide prevention in Maine, visit the Maine Suicide Prevention Program’s website: www.maine.gov/suicide. ---PAGE BREAK--- Tick-borne diseases 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 For general information about tick-borne diseases, visit http://go.usa.gov/jCKw Arboviral diseases Summer is here and arboviral activity has already been detected in the New England region, with a mosquito collection testing positive for West Nile virus in Massachusetts. 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. 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 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 Pertussis (whooping cough) There have been 188 reported cases of pertussis so far this year, compared to 280 for the same period last year. Oxford county has the highest rate of pertussis in the state, with 48.71 cases per 100,000, compared to the statewide rate of 14.14 cases per 100,000. 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 ---PAGE BREAK--- 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]