Influenza 2009-2010

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports

Welcome to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention influenza web site. Maine CDC is committed to providing health care providers and residents of the State of Maine with the information necessary to prevent and control the spread of influenza.

Recruiting Maine Influenza ILINet Providers Now!

What is an influenza ILINet provider? (Word* | PDF*)
Maine Influenza ILINet Provider Network Registration Form (Word* | PDF*)

Influenza ILINet providers conduct surveillance for influenza-like illness in collaboration with Maine CDC and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In combination with other influenza surveillance information, data from sentinel providers may be used to guide prevention and control activities, vaccine strain selection, patient care, and detection of new pathogenic organisms, such as the A:H5N1 avian strain. Providers of family practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, infectious disease specialties are eligible to be ILINet providers.

For more information on Influenza ILINet Provider Surveillance, contact the influenza coordinator at 1-800-821-5821.

Resources for Educators

First Look

The “Fifth Guy” campaign illustrates a simple point – most people respect certain hygienic norms. They stay home when they are sick. They cover their cough with their arm or a tissue. And they wash their hands, especially after using the restroom.

The American Society for Microbiology sent researchers into public rest rooms to watch what people do. They found that four out of five people wash their hands after using the restroom. Thus was born the campaign’s central character: the “Fifth Guy.” In the ads, this fifth guy — played by a wonderful comic actor named Ben Spring — keeps making the wrong choices and suffering the social consequences as a result. The take-away message is: Unless you are staying home when sick, covering your cough with an arm or a tissue, and washing your hands often, you’re a fifth guy, an outlier. That’s the motivation. No one wants to be a fifth guy — to be that one person everyone whispers about.

This link will take you to YouTube where you can view the 5th Guy commercial

This link will take you to the 5th Guy home page

We've also updated several of the campaign posters with our Maine CDC logo

Used with permission of the Florida Health Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a flu shot?

Federal CDC recommends the following groups receive influenza vaccine for the 2009-2010 season:

Children aged 6 months through 18 years
Persons aged 50 years and older
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
Children and adults with certain chronic health conditions
Pregnant women
Healthcare personnel
Household contacts and caregivers of 1) children aged less than 5 years with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged less than 6 months, 2) adults greater than 49 years, and 3) persons with certain chronic health conditions.

2. Where can I get a flu shot?

The Maine CDC distributes vaccine to Maine providers enrolled in the Maine Immunization Program. This vaccine is to be administered to high risk individuals. If you cannot obtain an influenza vaccination from your primary provider you can access information in your local newspapers for clinics being held in your area, or look for updated information on this website.

Flu shot clinics can be found at:

3. What should I do to protect myself from the flu?

The single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially those at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall. To learn more, go to Key Facts About Flu Vaccine .

There are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. These are:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and avoid doing errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

4. If I'm a physician or other healthcare provider, how do I obtain flu shots for my patients?

For state supplied vaccine, please contact the Maine Immunization Program at 1-800-867-4775. A list of private companies that distribute influenza vaccine is available at http://www.flusupplynews.com/resources.cfm

5. Does influenza vaccine contain Thimerosal?

Thimerosal-free influenza vaccine is available from from three manufacturers: CSL Biotherapies (Afluria), Medimmune (Flumist), and sanofi pasteur (Fluzone)

Maine CDC Information

District Public Health

Info for Health Providers

Influenza 2009-2010

Frequently Asked Questions

Hot Topics

Influenza Surveillance

Resources