• Read more about Serious Adverse Health Events Associated with Methanol-based Hand Sanitizers

Most commercially available alcohol-based hand sanitizers or rubs (ABHSR) contain either ethanol or isopropanol as active ingredients. On June 19, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by "Eskbiochem SA de CV" in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol, a toxic alcohol, as an active ingredient, which can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed.

• Read more about COVID-19 Testing at HETL

The Maine CDC Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory ("HETL") has received several specimens for COVID-19 testing that do not have the appropriate paperwork attached. Federal rules under CLIA require HETL to only run tests that are accompanied by complete paperwork.

• Read more about Hepatitis A Increase in Maine

Maine has seen an increase in hepatitis A cases in Penobscot, Somerset, and York counties over the past four months, with the number of reported cases climbing from zero in January and February to 13 in Penobscot, 7 in Somerset, and 6 in York counties in March through today. Twenty-one of the 26 cases had risk factors of injection drug use or housing insecurity.

• Read more about Acute Hepatitis A Case in a Food Service Worker in Saco, Maine

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in a Saco, Maine, food service worker. The case handled food while infectious from May 12, 2020, thru May 23, 2020.

• Read more about Universal Testing in Congregate Living Settings

Maine CDC has adopted the attached recommendations regarding universal testing in congregate living settings. This policy may be updated as scientific understanding of COVID-19 evolves.

• Read more about Increased COVID-19 Testing Capacity at Maine CDC Laboratory

On March 25, 2020, Maine met U.S. CDC's criteria for a Moderate level of community transmission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then Maine's testing capacity has been inhibited by the limited national supply of laboratory materials and testing equipment. To preserve specimen collection and testing supplies for patients who may develop severe COVID-19 illness, Maine CDCs Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) has, until now, had to prioritize testing for individuals in high-risk categories.

• Read more about 2020 Lyme and Other Tickborne Disease Information

Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Ticks are already active, and we expect the number of Lyme disease cases to increase as the weather continues to get warmer. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine and we want to encourage Mainers to use the "Tick Tock" strategies to stay tick free.

• Read more about Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19

A pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, recently reported by authorities in the United Kingdom, is also being observed among children and young adults in New York and elsewhere in the United States. Clinical features vary, depending on the affected organ system, but have been noted to include features of Kawasaki disease or features of shock; however, the full spectrum of disease is not yet known. Only severe cases may have been recognized at this time.

• Read more about Health Risks from Browntail Moths

The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine and Massachusetts are the only states in the U.S. experiencing problems with this moth. The tiny, microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions.

• Read more about Testing for COVID-19 - Antibody Testing

Antibody-based tests for the detection of antibodies against coronaviruses are now available through commercial laboratories. Only a select few of these tests are specific for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Providers should review the COVID-19 Antibody Testing Primer from the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) about serology-based tests for COVID-19.