Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is providing this update on hepatitis A cases in the state in 2019.

Providers or labs reported 24 cases of acute hepatitis A to date this year in Maine. Of these cases, six occurred last week and one case is currently under investigation in an out-of-state resident tested in Maine. Nine cases are linked to exposures at a restaurant in Caribou, and five cases are linked to an ongoing outbreak in New Hampshire. The remaining cases are sporadic.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified three additional cases of hepatitis A virus infection in Aroostook County since the last update on June 18, 2019. There is now a total of nine confirmed hepatitis A cases in Aroostook County since May 17, 2019. All nine cases are linked to exposures at a restaurant in Caribou. There is no ongoing risk to the public from eating at this restaurant, nor is there any ongoing risk to the public as a result of the original case.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified three additional cases of hepatitis A virus infection in Aroostook County over the past week. There are now six confirmed hepatitis A cases in Aroostook County since May 17, 2019. All six cases are linked to exposures at a restaurant in Caribou. There is no ongoing risk to the public from eating at this restaurant, nor is there any ongoing risk to the public as a result of the original case.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) identified additional cases of acute hepatitis A virus infection in Aroostook County. Close contacts at risk are already being notified. The only risk to the public identified by Maine CDC at this time involves a Presque Isle food service worker.

The Presque Isle case served food and drink while infectious on May 26, 2019 and June 2, 2019.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is reporting a case of meningococcal disease in a student who attends Wiscasset Middle High School. Lab tests confirmed the case on June 11, 2019. Maine CDC has informed Wiscasset Middle High School as well as local medical facilities of the case, and is working with them to notify exposed individuals. The student attended two public events during their infectious period: the Wiscasset Middle High School Alumni Banquet on Saturday, June 1st and the Wiscasset Middle High School Graduation on Thursday, June 6th.

This update is intended to provide accurate information about public health developments in the northern region of the state. There is no risk to the public from these cases.

New case of Hepatitis A in Aroostook County

On May 17, Maine CDC announced a case of hepatitis A in a Caribou food service worker. In response, Public Health Nurses and local hospitals administered approximately 1,350 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine to individuals in Aroostook County.

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.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting the first case of measles in Maine this year. Maine CDC confirmed the case on May 20th, 2019. The case involves a school aged child from Somerset County. The child was vaccinated, did not have any serious complications, and is fully recovered from the disease. Maine CDC is working with the family and clinicians to identify exposed contacts and to assess contacts for evidence of immunity. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.

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