• Read more about Preparing for Fall/ Winter Respiratory Virus Season

Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are three viral respiratory infections that cause most respiratory-related hospitalizations and deaths in our communities. Influenza and RSV cause seasonal epidemics with timing that varies year to year; COVID-19 burden continues to rise and fall with no seasonality. U.S. CDC anticipates that the upcoming fall and winter respiratory disease season will likely have a similar or lower number of combined peak hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV compared to last season.

• Read more about Pertussis Uptick in Maine: Information on Testing, Treatment, and Prevention

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reports 101 pertussis cases between January 1 and October 23, 2024. This surpasses the 76 cases reported throughout all of 2023. Ages ranged from 1 month to 55 years old. Teenagers (13-19 years old) accounted for 43% of cases. Children under 5 years old accounted for 26% of cases.

This increase in cases is not exclusive to Maine. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) shared that more than 5 times as many cases had been reported nationally as of October 19, compared to the same time in 2023.

• Read more about 2024 Record Number of Tickborne Illnesses Reported

The tick season in Maine this year remains active with numbers of some human tickborne illnesses so far in 2024 surpassing incidence rates of earlier years. The purpose of this health advisory is to remind clinicians to consider tickborne infection testing in patients presenting with febrile illnesses at any time of the year, including this fall when deer ticks are active.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Disruptions in Availability of Peritoneal Dialysis and Intravenous Solutions from Baxter International Facility in North Carolina

Please take a moment to review this timely information from the U.S. CDC about disruptions in certain products from the Baxter International Facility in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. Federal agencies are working with Baxter and with other manufacturers to restore production capacity for these products as soon as possible.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: First Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak in the Republic of Rwanda

Please review this information from the U.S. CDC on the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda and the federal response to it. Further information is provided here for Maine facilities and providers. No confirmed cases of MVD related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States or other countries outside of the Republic of Rwanda to date.

Any patients with confirmed or suspected Marburg virus disease must be reported immediately to Maine CDC by phone at 800-821-5821.

• Read more about Air Quality Alert - Orrington Fire

Ground-level particle pollution concentrations are expected to reach the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' (USG) level in the Eastern Interior and Mid-Coast Regions for today and tomorrow according to Air Quality Meteorologists at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Prevention Strategies for Mpox, including Vaccinating People at Risk via Sexual Exposure, for U.S. Travelers Visiting Countries with Clade I Mpox Outbreaks

Please take a moment to review this information from U.S. CDC on mpox prevention in travelers to countries with clade I mpox outbreaks.

• Read more about Ongoing High Risk for Arboviral Infections, Continue to Test Patients

Arboviral activity is high in Maine and across the northeast U.S. region. Maine has detected Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquitoes, wild birds, domestic animals, and/or humans in 13 of our 16 counties. The purpose of this health advisory is to remind clinicians to test for mosquito-borne arboviruses in appropriate patients.

• Read more about U.S. CDC: Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers

Please review this information about an increased risk of Oropouche virus (OROV) infection in the U.S. associated with an increase in global Oropouche activity and key actions clinicians can take to recognize Oropouche, order appropriate testing, ensure timely reporting to public health authorities, and promote prevention measures.

• Read more about Increased Arboviral Activity in Maine

The arboviral season in Maine is ramping up. The purpose of this health advisory is to remind clinicians to consider testing for mosquito-borne arboviruses in patients presenting with unexplained flu-like symptoms, encephalitis, meningitis, or high fever (100.4F or 38C) during the summer and fall.