• Read more about U.S. CDC: Human-to-Human Transmission of Mpox Virus Clade 1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and health departments about the occurrence, geographic spread, and sexually associated human-to-human transmission of Clade I Monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). MPXV has two distinct genetic clades (subtypes), and cases of Clade I MPXV have not been reported in the United States at this time (a clade is a broad grouping of viruses that has evolved over decades and is a genetic and clinically distinct group).

• Read more about Maine CDC Reports Record Number of Lyme Disease Cases

Maine continues to see a record-breaking burden of human tickborne disease. As of December 7, 2023, Maine reported 2,706 cases of Lyme disease, 738 cases of anaplasmosis, 173 cases of babesiosis, 12 cases of hard tick relapsing fever, and five cases of Powassan. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reported record numbers of Lyme disease and Powassan surpassing the 2,652 Lyme disease cases and four Powassan cases reported in 2022.

• Read more about Increase in TB Cases and Close Contacts Needing Assessment for Latent TB Infection in Maine

In Maine, cases of tuberculosis (TB) disease have increased in 2023 throughout the state, and the number of contact investigations at schools, health care settings and other facilities has also increased. Many individuals exposed to TB are now seeking screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Health care providers in all parts of Maine should know how to screen close contacts of individuals with TB disease, manage LTBI treatment, and recognize the differences between LTBI and TB disease.

• Read more about Increased Turnaround Times for Animal Rabies Testing at HETL

The purpose of this health advisory is to alert clinicians and professionals who work with animals that could be rabid that, effective November 27, 2023:

1. Turnaround times for animal rabies testing at the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) may take up to three business days, and
2. HETL will no longer be accepting live animal submissions.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: High Blood Lead Levels in Children Consuming Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches

Please review this information from U.S. CDC on potential risk of lead exposure from certain recalled fruit puree pouches sold in the United States. Maine CDC is not aware of children in Maine with blood lead levels of 5 g/dL or higher (Maine's threshold for investigating sources of lead exposure) related to consumption of these products. Families should not buy the recalled products and should discard any products they may have already purchased.

• Read more about Preparing for Fall/Winter Respiratory Virus Season

Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are three viral respiratory infections that cause the majority of respiratory-related hospitalizations and deaths in our communities. Influenza and RSV cause seasonal epidemics with timing that varies year to year; COVID-19 burden continues to rise and fall with no seasonality. U.S. CDC's initial respiratory season outlook indicated that, with COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and RSV, even an average respiratory season can place substantial strain on the health care system; U.S.

• Read more about Behavioral Health Resources

In the wake of Wednesday night's mass shooting event in Lewiston, these resources may be helpful to our clinical partners and your patients as we all struggle to cope with the events unfolding in our state.

• Read more about Limited Availability of Nirsevimab in the United States

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide options for clinicians to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the context of a limited supply of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization product recommended for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants.

• Read more about Preparing for and Responding to Hurricane Lee

The National Weather Service, in coordination with the National Hurricane Center, is reporting that Maine will experience impacts from Hurricane Lee beginning Friday night into Saturday morning due to a westward shift in the storm track and widening storm radius. The storm is predicted to slowly weaken to a Category 1 storm and eventually downgrade to a tropical storm as it makes landfall. Tropical storm force winds, coastal flooding and high surf, and riverine flooding are all possible impacts from the storm.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Increased Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Parts of the Southeastern United States: New Prevention Tools Available to Protect Patients

Please review this information from U.S. CDC on respiratory syncytial virus activity in the southeast, which typically precedes activity in other parts of the U.S. This advisory includes an overview of newly available RSV vaccines and other prevention options.