Maine CDC's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) recently confirmed the first case of influenza B by PCR in Maine this season. Although multiple Maine health care facilities have reported influenza-positive antigen results in recent weeks, this is the first PCR-confirmed case. The individual is an adult who was not hospitalized, was unvaccinated, and had no recent travel history.
With Maine's increased COVID-19 infection rates and rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, Maine CDC is updating its guidance regarding:
quarantine of individuals who are identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 case, and
use of antigen testing.
1/27/21: Original Advisory Posted
2/2/21: PLEASE SEE "UPDATES AND CLARIFICATIONS" DOCUMENT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Nationwide distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccine started December 14, 2020. U.S. CDC has since received reports that some people have experienced severe allergic reactions -- also known as anaphylaxis -- after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. An allergic reaction is considered severe when a person needs to be treated with epinephrine or an EpiPen or if they must go to a hospital for emergent care.
Maine CDC has recently received an increase in reported positive influenza antigen tests. Some specimens have been sent to Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) for further analysis, but none have been confirmed.
As part of the State's response to COVID-19, Maine DHHS is offering a series of educational sessions for Maine clinicians on the COVID-19 vaccine(s) and to support efforts to build the knowledge and trust needed to ensure a successful vaccination effort statewide.
Given busy clinician schedules, Maine DHHS is offering a series of short (30min) "COVID-19 Vaccine Info Sessions" that will be hosted twice a week starting Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020. The sessions will occur twice a week for the next several months at the following times:
On December 2, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") released a Scientific Brief on Options to Reduce Quarantine for Contacts of Persons with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Symptom Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing, based on a review of new epidemiological and modeling data.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in a Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, food service worker. The case handled food while infectious on November 11, 2020.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in a Bangor, Maine, food service worker. The case handled food while infectious on October 16-18, 20, 22-25, 27 and 29.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in individuals who consumed unpasteurized/raw milk from Roux Farm in Shapleigh, Maine, within the last two months. Epidemiologists identified at least four individuals who became ill and tested positive for cryptosporidiosis.Anyone who consumed raw milk (regular or any flavor) from Roux Farm produced before October 18, 2020, may be at elevated risk of cryptosporidiosis. Raw milk from the farm was sold through a variety of stores in the state.
Maine CDC identified a human case of neuroinvasive Flavivirus infection in an adult who resides in Cumberland County. The individual became ill in early September and is currently hospitalized. Serum samples collected September 5th and September 13th tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies at a commercial laboratory. Per established protocols, Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) sent the samples to the U.S. CDC for further confirmation. Plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) testing results from the U.S.
