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Information for Health Care Providers
Maine CDC Health Advisory
July 7, 2023
U.S. CDC: Wildfire Smoke Exposure Poses Threat to At-Risk Populations
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is reminding healthcare professionals seeing patients affected by wildfire smoke to be alert to the possible adverse effects of smoke exposure, particularly among individuals at higher risk of severe outcomes. The acute signs and symptoms of smoke exposure can include headache, eye and mucous membrane irritation, dyspnea (trouble breathing), cough, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, and fatigue. Wildfire smoke exposure may exacerbate respiratory, metabolic, and cardiovascular chronic conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure.
