After a stretch of relatively cool weather, summer has arrived in Maine, and weather conditions are expected to turn very hot and humid this week. Forecasts suggest that the heat wave will begin on Tuesday, impacting much of the state, and could become record-breaking on Wednesday and Thursday before easing by the weekend. Overnight temperatures are expected to remain high, preventing people from getting relief and causing heat to build up in buildings without air conditioning.

Maine CDC recently received notification of an infant with perinatally acquired HIV infection. The last infant in Maine with HIV infection attributed to perinatal transmission was born in 2019. Perinatal HIV infections are rare, with 21 cases of HIV attributed to perinatal transmission in the U.S. in 2021, the last year for which data are available. Perinatal HIV in the U.S. has fallen by more than 95% since the early 1990s. Perinatal HIV transmission occurs when HIV is passed from a pregnant person to their child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), America's Poison Centers, and state and local partners are investigating reports of severe acute illnesses potentially associated with consuming Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies marketed as containing a proprietary blend of mushroom. As of June 11, 2024, 12 total illnesses and 10 hospitalizations have been reported in eight U.S. states with ongoing efforts to identify other potential cases. The cause of the reported illnesses is not known at this time.

Maine CDC recently received notification of an infant with perinatally acquired HIV infection. The last infant in Maine with HIV infection attributed to perinatal transmission was born in 2019. Perinatal HIV infections are rare, with 21 cases of HIV attributed to perinatal transmission in the U.S. in 2021, the last year for which data are available. Perinatal HIV in the U.S. has fallen by more than 95% since the early 1990s. Perinatal HIV transmission occurs when HIV is passed from a pregnant person to their child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

In response to an ongoing panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in wild birds, poultry, and cattle, clinicians should (1) assess for relevant exposure history in patients with respiratory illness, (2) continue testing for influenza in patients with compatible illness in the summer months, and (3) send all influenza A and influenza B positive specimens to Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) for subtyping.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) has issued a Health Advisory to alert health care providers to cases of meningococcal disease linked to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca which may be performed at any time of year. The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage which will take place June 14-19, 2024.

Ticks are already active this year. As the weather continues to get warmer into the spring and summer months, the Maine CDC expects the number of Lyme and other tickborne disease case reports to increase. The purpose of this advisory is to provide healthcare providers with useful information on how to assess and care for patients with possible tickborne disease infections. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and the Maine CDC encourages all Mainers to remember "Little Tick, Big Deal."

The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine is the only state in the U.S. currently experiencing widespread problems with this moth. The microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions and breathing problems. Providers should be aware of the risk of browntail moth hairs, and the public should know what they can do to help reduce exposure to browntail moth caterpillar hairs. Browntail moth caterpillars are hairy, dark brown caterpillars with two red-orange dots on the back.

Please take a moment to review this information on adverse effects linked to counterfeit or mishandled botulism toxin injections in the U.S.

U.S. CDC is reporting an increase of adverse effects associated with botulism toxin injections between the dates of November 4, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Most reported cases received botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes. Currently, states reporting cases include California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York City, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

Please take a moment to review this information on highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in the U.S.