• Read more about Severe Respiratory Illnesses Associated with Rhinoviruses and/or Enteroviruses Including EV-D68

Healthcare providers and hospitals in several regions of the United States notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) during August 2022 about increases in pediatric hospitalizations in patients with severe respiratory illness who also tested positive for rhinovirus (RV) and/or enterovirus (EV). RVs and EVs can have clinically similar presentations and are indistinguishable from one another on multiplex assays often used in clinical settings. Upon further typing, some specimens have been positive for enterovirus D68 (EV-D68).

• Read more about Influenza Arrives in Maine

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has received several reports of positive influenza laboratory results during recent weeks. Maine CDC is requesting that laboratories send respiratory specimens from influenza confirmed or suspect patients to Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) for subtyping, especially in the beginning of influenza season. Subtyping allows Maine CDC to determine which influenza viruses are circulating this season and detect novel influenza virus infections.

• Read more about Updates on Monkeypox Testing, Vaccination, and Treatment in Maine

The global outbreak of monkeypox continues to grow in Maine and across the United States. Most cases have been identified in urban areas in other states. More cases are expected in Maine. Nationwide, the outbreak remains largely confined to gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men and transgender, gender non-conforming, or non-binary individuals who have sex with men, although some infections have been identified in other people.

This health advisory provides updates on three key areas for clinicians: testing, vaccination, and treatment.

• Read more about Varicella Testing and Reporting Recommendations

In 2021, providers reported 63 cases of varicella in Maine residents to Maine CDC, compared to just 33 cases reported in 2020. The decrease in widespread COVID-19 social distancing practices likely played a role in the increase in varicella cases. Varicella is a notifiable condition in Maine, and all confirmed or suspected cases should be reported to Maine CDC by telephone, fax, or electronic lab report within 48 hours of recognition or strong suspicion of disease.

• Read more about Reminder to Report Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis to Maine CDC

In 2014, national surveillance began for Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). Peaks of cases were observed across the United States in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Given the observed biennial pattern, it was anticipated that there would be an increase in AFM cases in 2020; however, cases plateaued from 2019 through 2021. It is likely that methods of prevention for COVID-19 contributed to the deviation from the previously observed biennial pattern. AFM is still observed across the country; it is unknown if the biennial pattern will resume.

• Read more about Maine CDC Monkeypox Clinician Update Call TODAY + US CDC Update on Monkeypox in High-Risk Groups

As of July 29, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health partners are reporting 5,189 cases of Monkeypox virus infections in the United States across 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. CDC is also reporting multiple outbreaks of monkeypox have also been reported globally in 72 countries that do not normally report monkeypox activity. On Friday, July 22, CDC reported the first two cases of monkeypox in children in the United States during the current outbreak.

• Read more about Arbovirus Update for Healthcare Providers

The purpose of this health advisory is to alert clinicians to the potential for human arboviral disease activity in Maine and to consider testing for mosquito-borne arboviruses in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis, or high fever (≤100.4°F or 38°C) during the summer and fall. Consider testing for Powassan virus year-round.

• Read more about Monkeypox Updates: Testing at Commercial Laboratories, Vaccination

• Monkeypox testing is now available at several commercial laboratories. Providers should send specimens for monkeypox testing to commercial laboratories rather than Maine CDC's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). Requirements for specimen type may vary depending on the lab used.
• Jynneos, a vaccine to prevent monkeypox, is available in Maine. Supplies are prioritized for close contacts of confirmed monkeypox cases and for persons who might have had recent monkeypox exposures based on certain criteria.

• Read more about COVID-19 Treatment Updates: Training Videos for Prescribers, Clinical Considerations, Prescribing Paxlovid, and Using Bebtelovimab

COVID-19 remains a major health concern in Maine and across the United States. COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021. New variants continue to emerge, some with higher transmissibility and an ability to cause breakthrough infections in those who have been vaccinated and in those with prior COVID-19 infection. Vaccination remains the best protection against infection, hospitalization, and death.

• Read more about A DEP Air Quality Alert is in Effect for Sunday Along the Coast of Maine

Ground-level ozone concentrations will be climbing in Maine late Saturday evening, dropping off overnight then building up again on Sunday along the coast of Maine from Kittery through Acadia NP and are expected to reach unhealthy levels on Sunday according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Ozone levels have been at or near unhealthy levels in southern New England for days. Winds Saturday evening will turn toward Maine in the Gulf of Maine continuing into Sunday.