General Public Information
Surveillance
Provider Groups
- Health Care Providers
- Long term Care Providers
- Schools
- Child Care Providers
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Other Flu Related Links
Disease Reporting
1-800-821-5821
Health Care Providers, Clinicians, EMS
On this page:
Current Messages to Health Care Providers
- Influenza Update for Geriatricians and Other Clinicians Caring for People 65 and Older
(US CDC; January 23, 2013) - Maine influenza conference call Q&A (January 22, 2013)
- Maine Health Alert: Influenza Update (January 17, 2013)
- Summary of CDC Recommendations for Influenza Antiviral Medications (US CDC; January 15, 2013)
- Increase in Influenza A H3N2v Virus Infections in Three U.S. States -
August 7, 2012 - (Word* | also in PDF*) - Dec. 23, 2011: US CDC confirms detection of a different Influenza A variant virus
- Emergency Compounding of an Oral Suspension from Tamiflu (US FDA; November 23, 2011)
- The Importance of Influenza Vaccination Among Health Care Workers in Maine (Word* | also in PDF*)
Testing, Reporting and Management
- Clinicians should consider influenza in the differential diagnosis of febrile respiratory illnesses in patients of any age, encourage their high risk patients to be immunized against influenza if they have not already done so, and review updated recommendations of the use of antiviral medications for influenza prophylaxis and treatment.
- Oseltamivir and zanamivir are the two drugs currently recommended for treatment and prophylaxis. Providers will be notified through the health alert network if national recommendations for treatment and prophylaxis are revised.
- Diagnostic labs should forward the first positive rapid influenza test specimens to HETL for confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Testing through HETL is free of charge. Instructions on submitting specimens for flu testing can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/health-and-environmental-testing/micro/submitting_samples.htm
- Infection preventionists, clinicians, school nurses and other reporting entities must report all suspected outbreaks of influenza to Maine CDC by phone at 1-800-821-5821 or by e- mail at disease.reporting@maine.gov.
Now that we know influenza is officially in Maine, it is important that we make every effort to try to limit its spread. The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated. Influenza vaccine is in Maine, and Maine CDC and national authorities recommend all individuals older than 6 months be immunized, even if they were vaccinated for influenza last season. All individuals with high risk conditions should be vaccinated as soon as possible.
As we enter the influenza season, it is important to remember the "No Flu 4 You" guidelines to help prevent illness including: Washing your hands; covering your cough; staying home when you're sick; and getting vaccinated.
For up-to-date information/recommendations on influenza for health professionals, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/
