Poster Contest Winners Selected

 

Congratulations to the 2017 Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest winners. Winning entries are posted at www.maine.gov/lyme

The winners from Maine CDC’s 8th annual Lyme Disease Awareness Month poster contest were:

• Lylah Shanz, 1st grade, Stratton School
• Allison Hanscom, 3rd grade, Miles Lane School
• Jayvin Saint Louis, 4/5 grade, Spruce Mountain Elementary School
• Emily Seavey, 6th grade, Lyman Middle School

2017 Honorable mentions:

• Kenzi Jo Richards, 4/5 grade, Spruce Mountain Elementary School
• Noah Koenig, 7th grade, Stratton School

Winning entries are posted at www.maine.gov/lyme

Tick-borne Diseases Update

Reports of multiple tick-borne diseases to Maine CDC are indicating an increase in all tick-borne diseases. Physicians have already reported more anaplasmosis cases so far this year than all of last year, and babesiosis and Lyme numbers are steadily increasing as well. Providers should be aware of the risk and prevalence of these diseases and consider them in their diagnoses.

Anaplasmosis:

• 228 cases reported to date in 2016, compared to 186 in all of 2015
• 116 cases reported from the Mid Coast region (Knox 49, Lincoln 43, Sagadahoc 18 and Waldo six)

Babesiosis:

• 49 cases have been reported to date in 2016, compared to 55 in all of 2015
• 13 cases reported from York county, ten cases from Knox county

Lyme disease:

• Lyme disease cases take several months to be entered and classified, so current numbers are not available at this time

Powassan:

• No cases have been reported to date in 2016, compared to one in all of 2015

Co-infections: 

Because all of these diseases are carried by the same tick (Ixodes scapularis), a person may be infected with more than one disease.

• To date, 11 co-infections have been reported: four co-infections with anaplasmosis and Lyme disease, two co-infections with babesiosis and Lyme disease and five co-infections with anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
• In 2015, 22 co-infections were reported: ten co-infections of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis; eight co-infections of Lyme disease and babesiosis; one co-infection of anaplasmosis and babesiosis; one co-infection of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis; one co-infection of Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis; and one co-infection of babesiosis and ehrlichiosis.

Recommendations for Providers:

• Consider tick-borne illnesses in your differential, particularly for individuals with “summer flu” symptoms
• Submit samples for testing
• Treat patients appropriately – recommendations for treatment are available from http://www.idsociety.org/uploadedfiles/idsa/guidelines-patient_care/pdf_library/lyme%20disease.pdf
• Report cases. All tick-borne illnesses are reportable in Maine, including the erythema migrans rash which is confirmatory. All cases should be reported by phone to 1-800-821-5821 or by fax to 1-800-293-7534.

For more information:

• Maine CDC vectorborne webpages: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/index.shtml
• Maine Physician’s Reference Guide: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/documents/tick-reference-guide.pdf

• Lyme forms for providers: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/lyme/index.shtml#resourcephysicians
• Guidance on treatment: http://www.idsociety.org/uploadedfiles/idsa/guidelines-patient_care/pdf_library/lyme%20disease.pdf
• Lyme disease data: https://data.mainepublichealth.gov/tracking/home

Tick Watch

Lyme disease:

Lyme disease is transmitted to people when infected deer ticks bite them. The bacterium that causes Lyme disease is called Borrelia burgdorferi, and causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue, as well as a skin rash. Often a bulls-eye rash is noticed somewhere on an infected person’s body. Doctors will diagnose the disease and prescribe antibiotics. If left untreated there could be more serious symptoms from Lyme disease, affecting the nervous system, heart, or joints.

Prevention:

·         Wear EPA approved repellent

·         Perform daily tick checks

·         Use caution in tick infested areas

·         Wear protective clothing

Lyme disease awareness month:

The month of May is Lyme disease awareness month in Maine. Throughout May, Maine CDC hosts informational tables, presentations, provides information on ticks and diseases for newsletters, and records a tick-borne disease webinar.

            Events:

See our Lyme Disease Awareness Month page for a list of activities:

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/lyme/month/index.shtml

Kids in school:

Maine CDC launched a curriculum for children in the 3^rd-5^th grades to educate them on ticks and mosquitoes. This curriculum highlights these vectors and the diseases they carry and how to avoid them and prevent disease. http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/school-curriculum/index.shtml

Tick-Free ME:

As a part of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is launching our second annual Tick-Free ME Challenge. This is a month long challenge during t July, where participants monitor their preventive behaviors. The goal of the challenge is to prevent tick-borne diseases through the prevention of tick bites. Enrollment in the challenge began May 1st and continues through June 22ndat participating libraries around the state. The challenge is designed for adults aged 45 years and older as this age group has among the highest rates of Lyme disease in Maine. For a list of libraries and more information visit: www.maine.gov/dhhs/tickfreeme

Lyme disease prevention poster contest

This year will be the 7^th annual statewide Lyme disease prevention poster contest in schools for students K-8. Children this age have high rates of Lyme disease, which is why increasing their knowledge of prevention is important.

The topic of this year’s contest is “Tick Watch” to emphasize awareness and prevention of ticks. Posters should be creative, colorful and express the importance of being informed about ticks and mindful of good prevention habits. Along with this theme, students should try to illustrate at least one specific preventative method on the poster, such as:  use an EPA-approved repellent, wearing protective clothing, performing daily tick checks or using caution in tick infested areas.

Two more examples of last year’s winning designs and general Lyme disease information are available at: http://www.maine.gov/lyme.

For questions about the poster contest, email the Public Health Corps at PHC.DHHS@maine.gov

Lyme and other tickborne diseases

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in Maine. Cases have been increasing each year in Maine, and occur in all 16 counties. More than 1,395 cases of Lyme disease were reported statewide in 2014, a record high for Maine.  Lyme disease is most common among school age children and mature adults over the age of 65. Most infections occur during the summer months. A total of 71 cases have already been reported in 2015.

The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash that occurs 3-30 days after being bitten. Fever, headache, joint and muscle pains and fatigue are also common during the first several weeks. Later features of Lyme disease can include arthritis in one or more joints (often the knee), Bell's palsy and other cranial nerve palsies, meningitis and carditis (AV block). Lyme disease is treatable, and the majority of patients recover after receiving appropriate therapy.

Lyme disease is a reportable condition in the State of Maine.  Providers should report all diagnosed erythema migrans rashes and all positive lab diagnoses.  Cases can be reported by fax at 1-800-293-7534 or by phone at 1-800-821-5821.

Other tickborne diseases: 

Other diseases that are carried by ticks in Maine include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They are all reportable in Maine.

In 2014, providers reported 191 cases of anaplasmosis, more the twice the number of cases reported in 2013.  Providers reported 42 cases of babesiosis, a slight increase from 2013.  Four anaplasmosis cases and one babesiosis case have already been reported in 2015.  

For more information:

• Lyme disease data are available on Maine CDC's website at http://go.usa.gov/kGYx
•  For more information on tickborne diseases, including Lyme:  http://go.usa.gov/kGYV
• A Physician's Reference Guide is available and describes the most common tickborne diseases in Maine.  This guide can be found on our website at:http://go.usa.gov/kGrw 
• For IDSA Lyme disease treatment guidelines: http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/9/1089.full
• To order Lyme educational materials: http://go.usa.gov/kGYh

Tick-Borne Diseases Update

Summer is in full swing and the increase in tick-borne diseases demonstrates that. Maine CDC is receiving reports of multiple tick-borne diseases, some in record numbers. Physicians have already reported more Anaplasmosis cases so far this year than all of last year, and Babesiosis and Lyme numbers are steadily increasing as well. Providers should be aware of the risk and prevalence of these diseases and consider them in their diagnoses.

Anaplasmosis:

• Caused by the Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria, carried by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)
• Signs and symptoms include: fever, headache, malaise, and body aches. Encephalitis/ meningitis may occur but is rare
• 98 cases have been reported to date in 2014, compared to 94 in all of 2013
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is the preferred testing method

Babesiosis:

• Caused by the Babesia parasite, carried by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)
• Signs and symptoms include: extreme fatigue, aches, fever, chills, sweating, dark urine, and anemia
• 17 cases have been reported to date in 2014, compared to 36 in all of 2013
• PCR or identification of the parasite in a blood smear are the preferred testing methods

Lyme disease:

• Caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, carried by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)
• Signs and symptoms include: erythema migrans rash, fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, fatigue, arthritis, Bell’s palsy, meningitis, and carditis
• 526 cases have been reported to date in 2014, compared to 1,376 in all of 2013
• Lyme disease cases take several months to be entered and classified, so although these numbers may seem low they will increase dramatically as reports are received and processed
• Two tier testing (ELISA or EIA, followed by Western blot) is the preferred testing method

Powassan:

• Caused by the Powassan virus, carried by the woodchuck tick (Ixodes cookei) and potentially by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)
• Signs and symptoms include: fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, and memory loss
• 0 cases have been reported to date in 2014, compared to 1 in all of 2013
• Testing is performed by federal CDC, samples should be sent to Maine’s Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) to be forwarded to CDC Fort Collins

Co-infections: Because all of these diseases are carried by the same tick (Ixodes scapularis), a patient may be infected with more than one disease.

• To date in 2014, three co-infections have been reported: two co-infections with anaplasmosis and Lyme disease, and one co-infection with babesiosis and Lyme disease
• In 2013, 16 co-infections were reported: nine co-infections of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, four co-infections of Lyme disease and babesiosis, two co-infections of anaplasmosis and babesiosis, and one co-infection of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

Uncommon illnesses:

• Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease, carried by the Lone Star tick which is unusual in Maine, but very common in the southern United States. PCR is the preferred testing method.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial disease carried by multiple ticks. Maine has a tick that is a potential carrier (the dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis), but they are not known to be infected in Maine.

Recommendations for Providers:

• Consider tick-borne illnesses in your differential, particularly for individuals with “summer flu” symptoms
• Submit samples for testing 
• Treat patients appropriately – recommendations for treatment are available from http://www.idsociety.org/uploadedfiles/idsa/guidelines-patient_care/pdf_library/lyme%20disease.pdf
• Report cases. All tick-borne illnesses are reportable in Maine, including the erythema migrans rash which is confirmatory. To ease the reporting burden of EM rashes, a registry report option is available (see page 3). All cases should be reported by phone to 1-800-821-5821 or by fax to 1-800-293-7534.

For more information:

• Maine CDC vectorborne webpages: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/index.shtml
• Maine Physician’s Reference Guide: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/documents/tick-reference-guide.pdf
• Lyme forms for providers: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/lyme/index.shtml#resourcephysicians
• Guidance on treatment: http://www.idsociety.org/uploadedfiles/idsa/guidelines-patient_care/pdf_library/lyme%20disease.pdf
• Lyme disease data: https://data.mainepublichealth.gov/tracking/home

This information originally appeared in a health alert, which is available at http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=625757&an=2 

Public Health Update 7/24/14

Mosquito-borne diseases EEE and WNV   Arboviral diseases, including Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV), are very serious infections that are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although rare, these diseases have potentially severe and even fatal consequences for those who contract them.  Other New England states have already detected both EEE and WNV this summer.      Clinicians should be aware of the potential for human disease activity in Maine, and to consider testing for arboviral disease in patients presenting with unexplained encephalitis, meningitis or fever ≥100.4°F or 38°C during the summer and early fall.   For more information, see the Health Alert from July 2: http://go.usa.gov/X9MV    Weekly arboviral surveillance reports will be posted to the following website through October: http://go.usa.gov/55u3  Chikungunya Chikungunya virus is also transmitted to people by mosquitoes. Outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In late 2013, chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean. The first locally acquired case of chikungunya in the US was reported July 17 in Florida. For case information on chikungunya in the US, seehttp://go.usa.gov/55uA. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection. Although US CDC does not expect widespread cases of chikungunya in the United States this summer, American travelers infected overseas may continue to return and bring the virus with them. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. When traveling to countries with chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens. For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/55hP or http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/

Tick-borne diseases Ticks are generally found in brushy or wooded areas, near the ground; they cannot jump or fly. Ticks are attracted to a variety of host factors, including body heat and carbon dioxide. They will transfer to a potential host when one brushes directly against them and then seek a site for attachment. Ticks cause a variety of diseases in Maine, including Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Powassan. More than 1,375 cases of Lyme disease were reported statewide in 2013, a record high for Maine. So far in 2014, there have been 246 reported cases of Lyme disease.  Other case counts for tickborne diseases reported in Maine so far in 2014 include: 80 cases of Anaplasmosis, compared to 94 for all of 2013 9 cases of Babesiosis, compared to 36 cases for all of 2013 5 cases of Ehrlichiosis, compared to 3 for all of 2013 No cases of Powassan, compared to 1 in 2013     For more information: More information on tickborne diseases is available at http://go.usa.gov/kGYV For Lyme disease testing and treatment information, see the health alert at http://go.usa.gov/kscC  Lyme disease data are available on Maine CDC's website at http://go.usa.gov/kGYx A Physician's Reference Guide is available and describes the most common tickborne diseases in Maine.  This guide can be found on our website at:http://go.usa.gov/kGrw For IDSA Lyme disease treatment guidelines: http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/9/1089.full To order Lyme educational materials: http://go.usa.gov/kGYh

Cyclosporiasis    Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite. Cases are usually reported from May to August. Five cases have been reported in Maine between June 24 and July 21. Maine CDC issued a Health Alert on July 8 to increase awareness among clinicians about cyclosporiasis and the need to specifically request testing for Cyclospora in patients with prolonged diarrheal illness. The Health Alert is available at http://go.usa.gov/XXDR  Cyclosporiasis is not a reportable condition in Maine due to the low number of cases in previous years (last known case in Maine resident in 2010). However, due to large numbers of cases in the United States in 2013, Maine CDC is requesting providers report cyclosporiasis cases as an unusual condition,  since it is not commonly seen in Maine residents.      For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/X9tF

Pertussis (whooping cough)    Pertussis (whooping cough) is a cyclical disease that continues to affect a significant number of Maine residents.   There have been 230 reported cases of pertussis so far in 2014, an increase of 43 cases from two weeks ago.  Maine CDC encourages providers continue to test and treat patients. DTaP vaccine is recommended for all infants and children. Tdap vaccine is recommended for all preteens, teens, and adults. For more guidance and information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO

TB Hero Dr. Shulamith Bonham, former medical director for Health Care for the Homeless in Portland, has been named 2014 TB Hero by the New England Tuberculosis Consortium.  Dr. Bonham was recognized for creating a low-barrier system for screening and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) within the Health Care for the Homeless clinic.

Hepatitis    Health IT and telemedicine are important tools to help early diagnosis and treatment of the growing problem of hepatitis C (HCV) infection in the United States.  US CDC has launched a new pilot program to help use telemedicine to fight HCV, develop new treatment tools, and get them in the hands of providers to try to stem the tide of HCV infections.   For more information, see: http://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/health-innovation/pilot-helps-battle-hepatitis-c-health-telemedicine/

Heat-related illness Here in Maine, we don't have very hot weather too often. So when it does get really hot, we are more likely to become sick from heat. This is because our bodies are not used to high heat, and many of our homes and buildings do not have air conditioning.   Certain people like older adults, infants, pregnant women, and people who have chronic diseases or who are sick already may feel much worse or have serious problems in extreme heat. Heat-related illnesses happen when your body cannot cool itself. Some heat illnesses are mild, like heat rash, sunburn, and heat cramps. Others like heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can be severe or even life-threatening. To find out how to keep cool and healthy as the weather gets hotter this summer, go to http://go.usa.gov/X9uw

Tick-borne diseases

Ticks are generally found in brushy or wooded areas, near the ground; they cannot jump or fly. Ticks are attracted to a variety of host factors, including body heat and carbon dioxide. They will transfer to a potential host when one brushes directly against them and then seek a site for attachment.

Ticks cause a variety of diseases in Maine, including Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Powassan. 

More than 1,375 cases of Lyme disease were reported statewide in 2013, a record high for Maine. So far in 2014, there have been 202 reported cases of Lyme disease. 

In 2013, providers reported 94 cases of Anaplasmosis, 36 cases of Babesiosis, and 1 case of Powassan. So far in 2014, there have been 52 cases of Anaplasmosis and four cases of  Babesiosis reported. 

  For more information:

• For Lyme disease testing and treatment information, see the health alert at http://go.usa.gov/kscC 
• Lyme disease data are available on Maine CDC's website at http://go.usa.gov/kGYx
• For more information on tickborne diseases, go to: http://go.usa.gov/kGYV
• A Physician's Reference Guide is available and describes the most common tickborne diseases in Maine.  This guide can be found on our website at:http://go.usa.gov/kGrw
• For IDSA Lyme disease treatment guidelines: http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/9/1089.full
• To order Lyme educational materials: http://go.usa.gov/kGYh

 The winners of Maine CDC's annual Lyme Disease Awareness Poster Contest have been announced. The press release is available at http://go.usa.gov/XPHB 

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Cases have already been reported in 2014, and the number will rise as the weather continues to get warmer.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by the deer tick. Cases have been increasing each year in Maine, and occur in all 16 counties. More than 1,375 cases of Lyme disease were reported statewide in 2013, a record high for Maine. Lyme disease is most common among school age children and adults older than 65. Most infections occur during the summer months.

The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash that occurs 3-30 days after being bitten. Fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, and fatigue are also common during the first several weeks. Later features of Lyme disease can include arthritis in one or more joints (often the knee), Bell's palsy and other cranial nerve palsies, meningitis, and carditis (AV block). Lyme disease is treatable, and the majority of patients recover after receiving appropriate therapy.

What to do after a tick bite:

• Remove the tick properly, ideally using tweezers or a tick spoon. 
• Clean the area around the bite, and watch for signs and symptoms for 30 days. 
• Testing of the tick is not routinely recommended. 
• Prophylactic treatment after a tick bite is not routinely recommended, but can be considered under specific circumstances including. 
• If you suspect Lyme disease, contact your health care provider for laboratory testing. The IDSA guidelines for assessment, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease are available at http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/9/1089.full

Other tickborne diseases:
Other diseases that are carried by ticks in Maine include Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan. Symptoms of Anaplasma include: fever, headache, malaise, and body aches. Symptoms of Babesia include: extreme fatigue, aches, fever, chills, sweating, dark urine, and possibly anemia. Symptoms of Powassan include: fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, seizures, and encephalitis and meningitis.

In 2013, providers reported 94 cases of Anaplasmosis, 36 cases of Babesiosis, and 1 case of Powassan. Five anaplasmosis cases and two babesiosis cases have already been reported in 2014.

For more information:

• Lyme disease data are available on Maine CDC’s website at http://go.usa.gov/kGYx. 
• For more information on tickborne diseases, including Lyme: http://go.usa.gov/kGYV
• A Physician’s Reference Guide is available and describes the most common tickborne diseases in Maine. This guide can be found on our website at: http://go.usa.gov/kGrw
• For IDSA Lyme disease treatment guidelines: http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/9/1089.full
• To order Lyme educational materials: http://go.usa.gov/kGYh

Update on tickborne diseases

The deer tick can remain active in its adult stage from fall to spring as long as the temperature is above freezing. The tick will remain alive, but inactive when temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maine CDC saw increased numbers of tickborne disease reports in 2013, including multiple cases with onset of symptoms as late as December and the first documented case of Powassan encephalitis in the state since 2004. Providers should continue to consider tick borne illnesses, even during the winter months.

For more information, see the update from Dec. 18 at http://go.usa.gov/ZpAG 

Emerging Tick-borne Disease: Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a parasitic infection transmitted by deer ticks, the same tick that carries Lyme disease. Babesiosis is an emerging infection in Maine with 17 cases being reported between January and mid-August, compared to a total of 10 cases in 2012. Most infections occur in the summer and fall months, so the number of 2013 cases is expected to rise.

So far, cases have been reported this year in Cumberland, Knox, and York counties.

Common symptoms include: extreme fatigue, aches, fever, chills, sweating, dark urine, and possibly anemia. People with babesiosis may experience no symtpoms at all. Babesiosis is treatable, and people who are infected and do not have underlying conditions generally make a full recovery. 

If you are bitten by a tick:

• Remove the tick properly, ideally using tweezers or a tick spoon.
• Clean the area around the bite, and watch for symptoms for 30 days.
• Have your health care provider identify the tick and the engorgement level, or amount of time attached.  Tick identification is available through the Maine Medical Center Research Institute 
• Testing of the tick is not routinely recommended.

If babesiosis is suspected: Your health care provider should test you. If you have babesiosis, you should be treated with medicine for a week to 10 days.

Remember that there are other diseases carried by ticks in Maine, including anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. Symptoms of anaplasmosis include: fever, headache, malaise, and body aches.  The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash that occurs at the site of the tick bite within 3-30 days after being bitten.  Fever, joint and muscle pains may also occur.  People can get infected with anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and/or Lyme disease at the same time.

Last year, health care providers reported 52 cases of anaplasmosis in Maine, compared to 45 cases so far this year.  In 2012, providers reported 1,111 cases of Lyme disease in Maine, so far 489 cases have been reported in 2013.

Additional information:

• For more information on tick borne diseases, including babesiosis, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/index.shtml
• To order tick educational materials, go to:  http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/order-form-wn.shtml

Lyme disease forum in Portland

Lyme disease continues to be a growing concern in Maine, with 1,111 cases of Lyme disease reported across the state in 2012. In Cumberland County, Lyme disease incidence has increased steadily in recent years and every year since 2008, Cumberland County has reported Lyme disease rates higher than the state average.

On Tuesday, June 11th, people can learn more about how to prevent Lyme disease at a community forum held from 12:30pm to 2pm at the Portland Public Library. There will be a short presentation on Lyme disease followed by an introduction to a panel of experts who will answer questions from the public. The event is being co-sponsored by the Cumberland District Public Health Council and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC). The goal of this forum is to provide important information about prevention and early identification of Lyme disease.

When: Tuesday June 11th, 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Where: Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium

5 Monument Square, Portland, ME

Parking: Free parking is offered to this event at the Elm Street parking garage (21 Elm Street, Portland, ME) - please bring in your ticket for validation (Thank you Healthy Portland!)

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that is carried by the deer tick. It can affect anyone, but is most common among school children, middle aged adults and adults over the age of 65. Lyme disease is typically transmitted in the warmer weather.

This event is free and open to the public. If you have questions about the event please email Becca.matusovich@maine.gov or call Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.