• Read more about U.S. CDC: Recent Reports of Human Parechovirus (PeV) in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health departments that parechovirus (PeV) is currently circulating in the United States. Since May 2022, CDC has received reports from healthcare providers in multiple states of PeV infections in neonates and young infants. Parechoviruses are a group of viruses known to cause a spectrum of disease in humans.

• Read more about Monkeypox Now a Reportable Condition in Maine

Reporting of notifiable diseases and conditions is required under 22 M.R.S., Chapter 250, §802 and §822. Failure to report could result in preventable morbidity or mortality. Maine CDC is authorized to advise through publicly noticed Health Alerts the public health need for the temporary reporting of any disease or condition in the state of Maine in order to study and control any apparent outbreak or unusual occurrence of communicable diseases.

This Health Alert serves as notice for a temporary change to the Notifiable Diseases and Conditions List:

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Updated Case-finding Guidance: Monkeypox Outbreak

Since May 2022, monkeypox cases, which have historically been rare in the United States, have been identified in 18 states and territories among both persons returning from international travel and their close contacts domestically. Globally, more than 1,600 cases have been reported from more than 30 countries; the case count continues to rise daily. In the United States, evidence of person-to-person disease transmission in multiple states and reports of clinical cases with some uncharacteristic features have raised concern that some cases are not being recognized and tested.

• Read more about COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to update healthcare providers, public health departments, and the public on the potential for recurrence of COVID-19 or "COVID-19 rebound." Paxlovid continues to be recommended for early- stage treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 among persons at high risk for progression to severe disease. Paxlovid treatment helps prevent hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.

• Read more about Maine CDC and US CDC: Monkeypox Virus Infection in the United States and Other Non-endemic Countries

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral infection endemic to several Central and West African countries. Prior to May 2022, cases outside of Africa were reported either among people with recent travel to Nigeria or contact with a person with a confirmed monkeypox virus infection. In May 2022, several patients were confirmed with monkeypox in England; at least six were among persons without a history of travel to Africa and the source of these infections is unknown.

• Read more about Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Outcomes of COVID-19

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to update healthcare providers, public health departments, and the public about the availability and use of recommended therapies for COVID-19 and to advise against using unproven treatments that have known or potential harms for outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

• Read more about 2022 Lyme and Other Tickborne Disease Information

Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and we want to encourage Mainers to stay tick free by being "Tick Wise." Ticks are already active, and the Maine CDC expects the number of Lyme disease and other tickborne disease cases to increase as the weather continues to get warmer.

• 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.

• Read more about Recommendations for Adenovirus Testing/Reporting of Children with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin

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.

• Read more about Increase in HIV Cases in Kennebec County, Maine

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.