• Read more about 2024 Lyme and Other Tickborne Disease Information

Ticks are already active this year. As the weather continues to get warmer into the spring and summer months, the Maine CDC expects the number of Lyme and other tickborne disease case reports to increase. The purpose of this advisory is to provide healthcare providers with useful information on how to assess and care for patients with possible tickborne disease infections. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and the Maine CDC encourages all Mainers to remember "Little Tick, Big Deal."

• Read more about Health Risks from Browntail Moths

The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine is the only state in the U.S. currently experiencing widespread problems with this moth. The microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions and breathing problems. Providers should be aware of the risk of browntail moth hairs, and the public should know what they can do to help reduce exposure to browntail moth caterpillar hairs. Browntail moth caterpillars are hairy, dark brown caterpillars with two red-orange dots on the back.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections

Please take a moment to review this information on adverse effects linked to counterfeit or mishandled botulism toxin injections in the U.S.

U.S. CDC is reporting an increase of adverse effects associated with botulism toxin injections between the dates of November 4, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Most reported cases received botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes. Currently, states reporting cases include California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York City, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus

Please take a moment to review this information on highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in the U.S.

• Read more about HIV Cluster Update and Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Recommendations

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified three additional new HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Penobscot County. There are now a total of six confirmed cases associated with this cluster; five of the newly diagnosed individuals were unhoused at the time of their diagnosis. Some of the individuals recently diagnosed with HIV had previous contact with the health care system, including missed opportunities for HIV testing.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Increase in Global and Domestic Measles Cases and Outbreaks

Please take a moment to review this information on measles circulation in the U.S. and globally and consider what you can do to prepare for the possibility of measles cases in Maine in the near future.

• Read more about Travel-Related Diseases, Spring 2024

Many Maine residents travel to warmer climates with heightened risk of mosquito-borne or other types of illness particularly during colder months and especially during school and other spring vacations occurring this time of year. In 2024, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has investigated multiple cases of travel-related illness in persons who have recently traveled within or outside the United States. At the same time, many jurisdictions both within and outside the U.S.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Increase in Invasive Serogroup Y Meningococcal Disease in the United States

U.S. CDC is reporting an increase in invasive meningococcal disease in the U.S. in 2024, mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. Most cases involve a single sequence type, ST-1466. Most of the patients are between 30-60 years old, are Black or African American, or are living with HIV. In addition, most cases caused by this strain had a clinical presentation other than meningitis, such as bacteremia and septic arthritis.

• Read more about Updated Respiratory Virus Guidelines

Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV continue to be significant health burdens in the U.S., especially to people at higher risk for severe disease, including older adults, young children, people with compromised immune systems, people with disabilities, and pregnant people. The health impacts of COVID-19 are now increasingly similar to those of other respiratory viruses, like influenza. Reported deaths involving COVID-19 are several-fold greater than those reported to involve influenza and RSV. However, influenza and likely RSV are often underreported as causes of death.

• Read more about Health Care Preparedness and Response for Measles

Measles activity in the United States is now the highest it has been since 2019. Between January 1 and February 29, 2024, 16 U.S. jurisdictions reported a total of 41 cases. Most of these cases were among children and adolescents who had not received a measles-containing vaccine (measles-mumps-rubella [MMR] or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella [MMRV]), even if age-eligible. Health care facilities should have plans and processes in place to rapidly identify, isolate, and inform Maine CDC of any suspected measles cases.