Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) identified a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection in a Caribou, Maine food service worker. The case prepped food while infectious from April 24, 2019 thru May 13, 2019. A public health assessment of the employee's illness determined that restaurant patrons may be at risk for hepatitis A infection.

Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Ticks are already out 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 Aware and Tick Alert" strategies to stay tick free.

The purpose of this advisory is to:

May is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month. Maine CDC urges clinicians to understand the burden of hepatitis B and C in Maine and to follow key recommendations for testing and prevention. All persons at risk for hepatitis B and C should be tested and those who are susceptible should be vaccinated forhepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Over the past few weeks, multiple news outlets have reported on the MMR vaccine, previous vaccine recommendations, and the potential for some adults to need additional doses of MMR vaccine. This HAN message contains the most current MMR vaccine recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Maine CDC received notification of an influenza-associated pediatric death on Monday, April 8, 2019. The child, a Washington County resident, was unvaccinated and tested positive for influenza A. This is the first influenza-associated pediatric death in Maine during the 2018-19 influenza season.

Influenza activity in Maine remains elevated. Influenza vaccination is strongly encouraged and is still widely available. Vaccination can reduce illness and prevent hospitalization and death.

Influenza activity remains elevated and widespread in Maine and throughout the United States. Influenza should continue to be considered as a possible diagnosis for patients with influenza-like illness, including a fever of 100F or higher and a cough or sore throat. Maine CDC recommends rapid antiviral treatment of high-risk patients with suspected influenza.

With sustained influenza activity, it is not too late to get vaccinated for the 2018-19 influenza season. Vaccination can reduce illness and prevent hospitalizations and death.

On April 1, 2019 Maine CDC was notified of a confirmed case of measles in an out of state resident who visited two businesses in Maine while traveling in the state on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Individuals who have been exposed are asked to check their immunization status and monitor for symptoms. Maine clinicians are asked to increase surveillance for rash illness suggestive of measles to identify early potential cases and prevent the spread of disease. The best protection against measles is vaccination.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the circumstances surrounding a rabid bat in the general area outside the Shaw House in Bangor on the weekend of March 16 and 17. The bat tested positive for rabies at Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL).

Maine CDC is investigating a confirmed case of mumps in an unvaccinated student in York County. Maine CDC is working closely with the school to identify contacts and provide recommendations for control. The intent of this HAN is to remind providers to test patients with clinically compatible symptoms for mumps, encourage vaccination, and alert others to the presence of mumps in Maine. Schools should review student vaccination records as unvaccinated students in schools may be excluded if Maine CDC identifies further cases in other locations.

The purpose of this advisory is to provide health care providers with the most current information on measles prevention and assessment of suspect cases, should they arise. Several outbreaks of measles have been reported in the U.S. since January 2019. These outbreaks started with travelers who brought measles back after travelling overseas where large measles outbreaks are occurring. The majority of people who have come down with measles were unvaccinated.