On Monday, June 28, 2021, the hours of operation for the clinical microbiology section at the Maine CDC Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) will shift to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. As a result, HETL will not conduct COVID-19 PCR testing on Saturday or Sunday.
[This message from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is being forwarded by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure widest visibility.]
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in an Eastport, Maine, food service worker. The individual handled food in the deli at the R&M IGA at 88 Washington Street in Eastport, Maine, while infectious on the following dates in 2021: May 3-6, May 8, May 10-13, May 15, and May 18-20. Deli food items purchased on May 3-22 should be discarded or cooked thoroughly.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is aware of reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. The reports appear to be rare, given the number of vaccine doses administered to date. U.S. CDC is investigating whether there is any causal association or an increase of such events relative to the background rates.
Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Ticks are already active, and we expect the number of Lyme disease cases to increase as the weather continues to get warmer. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and we want to encourage Mainers to stay tick free using "Stop. Check. Prevent."
The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine and Massachusetts are the only states in the U.S. experiencing problems with this moth. The microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions and breathing problems.
Maine CDC is forwarding this HAN message from US CDC to ensure widest visibility.
Maine CDC is not aware of any reports of these cases in Maine residents. The State of Maine is advising that providers pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the US CDC's scientific advisory committee has further reviewed the safety data. Maine CDC is working with administration partners to provide an alternative supply of the mRNA vaccines to clinics already scheduled so they can continue operations.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in an Orono, Maine, food service worker. The individual handled food while infectious on the following dates: March 6-9, March 13-16, and March 20-21, 2021.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has updated its Rules for the Control of Notifiable Diseases and Conditions. The new rule goes into effect today, February 17, 2021. One of the most significant parts of the rule is the Notifiable Diseases and Conditions List, which states the diseases and conditions required to be reported to the state.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has notified the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) of multiple individuals with gastrointestinal illness associated with recent purchases of unpasteurized/raw milk from Brandmoore Farms in Rollinsford, NH. In subsequent investigations, Maine and New Hampshire public health officials have identified multiple cases of campylobacteriosis in residents of both states. Maine has identified at least 30 cases of campylobacteriosis among Maine residents associated with this outbreak.
