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.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) issued a Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health authorities of a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus infection. In November 2021, clinicians at a large children's hospital in Alabama notified U.S. CDC of five pediatric patients with significant liver injury, including three with acute liver failure, who also tested positive for adenovirus. All children were previously healthy. None had COVID-19.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in Kennebec County, Maine, have increased from 1 case in 2020 to 5 cases in 2021 (see Figure 1). Of the 5 cases diagnosed in 2021, 4 were diagnosed when severely ill and hospitalized; 3 were diagnosed with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) at the same time as their HIV diagnosis. The Maine CDC has not identified an epidemiological link among these cases at this time. Individuals who are diagnosed later in their HIV infection course are more likely to transmit HIV to others, and also have a poorer prognosis than those diagnosed earlier.
COVID-19 transmission continues to occur in Maine. In recent weeks, new cases have dropped under 1,000 cases/day and, in recent days, under 500 cases/day. This is a sharp drop from the recent surge of Omicron-variant infections in Maine in January and February, yet it does not mean we are in the clear. Over 30 COVID-19 deaths were reported to Maine CDC in the first half of March. The daily census of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, over 400 through much of January, just recently dipped below 100.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an increase in cases of Legionnaires' disease, a potentially fatal pneumonia, in persons who live in, work in, or visit York County. Providers should consider the possibility of Legionnaires disease in patients presenting with respiratory illness, particularly if the patient reports spending time in York County in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms.
This health alert provides updates on patient eligibility for EVUSHELD, a long-acting monoclonal antibody that is available under U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization for pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent COVID-19 infection in persons with moderate to severe immunocompromise. Additional groups of people in Maine are now eligible to get pre-exposure prophylaxis.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) in a backyard bird flock in Knox County. This is the first time Maine has detected HPAI in the State. Though HPAI can cause illness in humans, no human cases with this specific viral strain have been detected in the United States to date.
This health alert provides important updates regarding COVID-19 therapeutics for non-hospitalized patients, including new information on which patients to prioritize for some or all of these medications. It also includes information on locations in the State where patients can get tested, evaluated, and treated with these medications. The approach outlined in this health advisory is subject to change.
This health alert provides an update on patient eligibility for EVUSHELD, a long-acting monoclonal antibody that is available under U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization for pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent COVID-19 infection in persons with moderate to severe immunocompromise.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) relies on health care providers and laboratorians to report the occurrence of notifiable diseases. Without such surveillance data, Maine cannot accurately monitor trends, detect and respond to unusual occurrences of diseases (such as outbreaks), and evaluate the effectiveness of control and prevention activities.
