Maine CDC Recognizes Efforts to Ward Off Infectious Disease

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently recognized four organizations by presenting them with the Pump Handle Award for their contributions to help reduce the impact of infectious diseases in Maine.

Camp Sunshine was honored for its quick response to an outbreak viral gastroenteritis outbreak, which led to the containment of a highly contagious virus. The camp also worked closely with the Maine CDC epidemiology and health inspections programs, providing information that allowed for surveying, follow-up on test results, and strengthened outbreak response in the community. Mercy Hospital was recognized for its response to a highly publicized case of a rabid fox in Portland and for its decision to immediately make medication for treatment for exposure available to other healthcare systems, which were seeing a high volume of people with symptoms. The hospital also cared for five people who were exposed to rabies.

The Bangor Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic, one of two clinics in the State, has been instrumental in Maine's ability to provide STD screening, treatment and disease surveillance in the Northern part of the state. The commitment and dedication of Clinic staff have helped many people living with HIV/AIDS know their status, get connected to important medical care and support services, and identify and test potential partners who may have been exposed to HIV. The Maine School Nurses Association was chosen for the hard work and dedication of Maine's school nurses, particularly for their dedication to organizing and operating Maine's school located vaccine clinics. School Nurses responded to the need during H1N1 and have continued to assure availability of influenza immunization to students in the school setting because that is where children are and because as they have said, "it is the right thing to do."

The Pump-Handle Award has been given for more than a decade in Maine. The award's name is a tribute to Dr. John Snow, who is considered by many to be the father of epidemiological science. Snow identified that a public water pump was the source of a cholera outbreak in London in 1854. He convinced authorities to remove the handle of the pump, preventing any more of the infected water from being collected. The spring that fed the pump was later found to be contaminated.

"Maine CDC has long-held relationships with people across the state whose work helps prevent the spread of infectious disease,'' said Dr. Stephen Sears, State Epidemiologist. "This award is just one small way to recognize and thank them for a job well done."

Horse in Oxford County Tests Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced today that a horse euthanized due to neurological signs last week in Oxford County tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The horse was vaccinated for EEE and West Nile virus (WNV) a year ago, but had not received a booster dose.

EEE is a virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Eight pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for EEE in York County this year. Maine last saw EEE in horses in 2009, when 15 horses died of the disease.

"EEE, which is carried by mosquitoes, is a fatal, viral disease in horses. The virus can affect human beings if they are bitten by mosquitoes that carry the virus," Dr. Michele Walsh, state veterinarian said. "People cannot acquire EEE infection from sick animals, only from the bite of an infected mosquito."

Steps Mainers can take to protect themselves from EEE and WNV include:
Wear long sleeves and long pants
Use an EPA approved repellent on skin and clothes
Take extra precautions at dusk and dawn
Use screens on your windows and doors
Drain artificial sources of standing water where you live, work, and play
Vaccinate horses against EEE and WNV


EEE virus is carried by mosquitoes, which pick it up from infected wild birds. The virus replicates in birds, which act as natural reservoirs for the disease.

Signs of the disease in horses include: stumbling or poor balance, unusual behavior and lethargy. Other symptoms include head pressing, circling, tremors, seizures and eventual coma. "EEE is preventable in horses through vaccination," the state veterinarian advised. "If more than six months has elapsed since a horse has been vaccinated, a booster vaccination may be needed." Vaccination can also protect against WNV, which has not been detected in Maine so far in 2013, but was detected in 2012, and has been detected in our neighboring states this year. Horse owners should contact their own veterinarians to decide if booster shots are needed. Revaccination is recommended if more than six months have passed since the last vaccination when exposure to infected mosquitoes is likely. Other animals besides people and horses can be affected by EEE. The virus can also affect specialty livestock, such as llamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches and other farm-raised birds, such as quail and ducks.

"This EEE activity in mosquitoes and horses should serve as a reminder to health care providers that humans are at risk from this disease, as well," says Dr. Sheila Pinette, Director of Maine CDC. Although many persons infected with EEE have no apparent illness, those who develop symptoms do so usually three to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to encephalitis, coma and death. Approximately half of people who have symptoms of EEE will have mild to severe permanent neurological damage and EEE is fatal in about one of every three cases.

Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory performs arboviral testing for mosquitoes, large animals and humans. Submission information can be found at http://www.mainepublichealth.gov/lab.

For more information: Maine CDC's arboviral website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/index.shtml

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month


Augusta, Maine - Lyme disease is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in Maine, with over 1,000 cases reported in 2011.

That is why the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is proud to join Governor Paul LePage who has officially proclaimed May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

"Lyme disease is a growing concern in Maine" says Dr. Sheila Pinette, Director of Maine CDC "and that is why awareness and education is so important."

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is carried by the deer tick. Cases have increased over the last five years in Maine, and occur in all 16 counties. Lyme disease is most common among school age children and middle age adults. As the weather continues to get warmer, more ticks will be out in the open, and most infections in Maine occur during the summer months.

The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash that occurs at the site of the tick bite within 3 to 30 days after being bitten. Fever, joint and muscle pains may also occur. Lyme disease is treatable, and the majority of patients recover after receiving appropriate therapy. Lyme disease was first clearly described in Connecticut in 1975, but it had likely been in the United States much longer. It was first identified in Maine in 1987. Lyme disease is preventable. Maine CDC recommends following the "No Ticks 4 ME" approach which includes:
1. Wear protective clothing
2. Use insect repellent
3. Perform daily tick checks
4. Use caution in tick habitats

Ticks must be attached for 24-48 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted, so prompt removal of ticks is extremely important. Anyone with a known tick bite or who has been in a tick habitat should watch for symptoms for at least 30 days after the exposure. If symptoms develop, call your physician.

Maine CDC has numerous educational materials available on our website at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/vector-borne/lyme/index.shtml

Governor LePage's proclamation reads:

Whereas the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2011, more than 1,000 cases of Lyme Disease have been reported; and

Whereas, the actual incidence of Lyme Disease is far more than reported; and

Whereas, public awareness and education are necessary to educate and promote awareness of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses; and

Whereas the 124th Maine Legislature enacted Public Law Chapter 494, LD 1709, Item 1, An Act to Enhance Public Awareness of Lyme Disease.

Now, therefore, I, Paul R. LePage, Governor of the State of Maine do hereby proclaim the month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month throughout the State of Maine and urge the public to become aware of the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses.