• Read more about Tickborne Illness Risk Remains High Amid Record Numbers of Reported Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis Cases

Maine CDC would like to alert clinicians that the tick season in Maine continues to be very active this year, posing increased risk of tickborne disease. Maine CDC reported record numbers of anaplasmosis and babesiosis cases, surpassing the record number of cases reported in 2019. As of November 23, 2021, Maine reported 1,276 cases of Lyme disease, 748 cases of anaplasmosis, 184 cases of babesiosis, eight cases of Borrelia miyamotoi, and three cases of Powassan encephalitis.

• Read more about Expanded Eligibility of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots for All Adults 18 and Up

Based on sustained COVID-19 community transmission rates, Maine CDC has concluded that all individuals are at high risk for COVID-19 exposure. Accordingly, effective immediately, all Mainers age 18 years or older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are eligible for a booster dose at least six months after the second dose of their primary series. Those who received the single-dose J&J vaccine remain eligible for a booster dose at least two months after their initial dose.

• Read more about Pertussis and Other Childhood Respiratory Illnesses Circulating in Maine

Childhood respiratory illnesses like pertussis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza are circulating in Maine and should be considered in addition to COVID-19.

• Read more about Extending the Use of Rapid Antigen Testing Supplies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, various components of the testing supply chain (e.g., test kits, reagents, swabs) have been in short supply. Though the testing supply chain has stabilized, it remains vulnerable to increases in COVID-19 transmission, such as the one Maine is experiencing now.

• Read more about Influenza Arrives in Maine

Influenza has arrived in Maine. Multiple Maine facilities reported influenza positive rapid results in recent weeks, and Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) has just confirmed two cases using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time-RT PCR) testing. Both specimens tested positive for influenza A/H3. These individuals are adults who were not hospitalized. One patient was unvaccinated, and the vaccine status remains unknown for the other.

• Read more about Booster Doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended, administration of a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for certain individuals.

• Read more about US CDC: Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness Associated with Use of Products Containing Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19

This Health Advisory from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being posted by Maine CDC to ensure widest visibility.

• Read more about Increased Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Maine

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is circulating in Maine at a higher rate than usual for this time of year. Health care providers should consider testing patients with acute respiratory illness for RSV. To prevent transmission of RSV and other respiratory viruses, people with respiratory symptoms should refrain from in-person work, school, or daycare while acutely ill. This recommendation applies even if they have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

• Read more about Use of an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose after an initial 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series for immunocompromised people

On August 12, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration modified the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow for administration of an additional dose (i.e., a third dose) of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after an initial 2-dose primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series for certain immunocompromised people.

• Read more about Maine DEP Issues Air Quality Alert for Thursday, August 12th

This message from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is being forwarded by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure widest visibility.