Whooping cough update

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a cyclical disease that continues to affect a significant number of Maine residents.

Maine CDC issued a health alert with an update on pertussis on Aug. 4. It is available here: http://go.usa.gov/NEG4

As of August 4, providers reported a total of 254 pertussis cases from 15 Maine counties. Washington county has the highest rate in the state of 114.94 cases per 100,000 persons compared to the state's case rate of 19.12 cases per 100,000 persons. Seven Maine counties have rates higher than the state rate (Aroostook, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Waldo, and Washington counties).

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

Infectious disease update

Giardia

Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by parasites, and it is the most common infectious diarrheal illness reported in Maine. So far in 2013, there have been 131 cases of Giardia reported in Maine, compared to 122 in all of 2012.

Giardiasis tends to occur more frequently in the summer and fall months. Individuals at greatest risk of infection with Giardia include people swallowing contaminated drinking water (such as backpackers or campers), travelers to endemic countries, and people with close contact with infected individuals (including childcare settings) and infected animals.

For more information, go to http://go.usa.gov/DTrF


Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a cyclical disease that continues to affect a significant number of Maine residents. Maine CDC issued an update on statewide pertussis on July 30, which can be found at http://go.usa.gov/jdfe

There have been 244 reported cases of pertussis so far this year in Maine. This is less than the 476 reported cases for the same period last year, but is more than the five-year median. Oxford county has the highest rate of pertussis in the state, and the majority of cases have occurred in people ages 7-19.

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



Flu

Weekly updates on flu activity will resume in October. Maine CDC reminds everyone to take everyday preventive measures against the flu:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or shoulder
• Stay home when you feel sick
• Get vaccinated

US CDC has published a summary of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the 2013-2014 flu season at http://go.usa.gov/jdfB

The Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for this coming season’s vaccines are available at http://go.usa.gov/jdAC

Whooping cough update

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a cyclical disease that continues to affect a significant number of Maine residents. Maine CDC issued an update on statewide pertussis on July 30, which can be found at http://go.usa.gov/jdfe

There have been 210 reported cases of pertussis so far this year in Maine. This is less than the 354 reported cases for the same period last year, but is more than the five-year median of 60 pertussis cases. Oxford county has the highest rate of pertussis in the state, and the majority of cases have occurred in people ages 7-19.
 
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

Maine CDC Public Health Update 12/13/12

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Thirty cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in children younger than 1 year old in Maine so far this year. Maine CDC has issued new clinical guidance for providers treating infant pertussis. It is available on the Maine CDC website.

In total, more than 660 cases of pertussis have been reported in Maine this year, with the majority in children ages 7 to 19. Reported cases appear to be on a downward trend.

Weekly updates on pertussis in Maine are posted to www.mainepublichealth.gov on Thursdays.

DTaP vaccine is recommended for all infants and children. Tdap vaccine is recommended for all preteens, teens, and adults.

For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO


Recent health alerts

• Group A Strep: Maine CDC is investigating a cluster of invasive Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections in patients who have reported a history of injecting bath salts. Four cases of invasive GAS have been reported among persons aged 23-37 years, two of which resulted in Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS). All cases reported injecting bath salts, all required hospitalization, one required intensive care, and one had necrotizing fasciitis. All four cases are from Aroostook and Penobscot counties. The health alert is at: http://go.usa.gov/gPfj

• Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Gonococcal infection is reportable to Maine CDC within 48 hours of recognition or strong suspicion of disease. In men, common symptoms include burning sensation when urinating or a white, yellow or green penile discharge. In women, symptoms are uncommon, but may include painful or burning sensation when urinating or increased vaginal discharge. Gonorrhea is a major cause of serious reproductive complications in females. Case reports of gonorrhea in Maine have been increasing in recent years from 96 cases in 2008 to 272 cases in 2011. The health alert is available at: http://go.usa.gov/gPf5

Influenza

Maine CDC reported regional flu activity for the week ending Dec. 8. Weekly updates are available online:

• for Maine: http://go.usa.gov/NoK
• for the US: http://go.usa.gov/ITB
• for the world: http://go.usa.gov/ITK

Maine CDC reminds everyone to take everyday preventive measures against the flu: 

• Wash your hands frequently
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or shoulder
• Stay home when you feel sick
• Get vaccinated – find locations at www.flu.gov

America's Health Rankings

Maine ranked ninth overall (up from tenth last year) in the recently released America’s Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation.

These rankings are used to stimulate action by individuals, elected officials, medical professionals, public health professionals, employers, educators and communities to improve the health of the population of the U.S.

For more information, visit http://www.americashealthrankings.org/ME


HIV and hepatitis screenings

Recently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued draft recommendations pertaining to HIV and viral hepatitis screening and is inviting public comments on both.


The Task Force is an independent group of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine that works to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services.

The draft recommendation for HIV screening applies to all people aged 15 to 65 and all pregnant women. Public comments can be submitted online until December 17.

Public comments on the draft recommendations for screening adults for hepatitis C virus infection can be submitted online until December 24.

For more information and to submit comments, go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/index.html

Pertussis (whooping cough) update 7/26/12

Pertussis is endemic in the United States. Although cyclical in nature, a gradual and sustained increase has been observed in the United States after reaching historic lows in the 1970s. In 2010, 27,550 pertussis cases were reported. Year-to-date case counts from 2012 have surpassed those from the previous 5 years for the same period.


To date, 300 cases of pertussis have been reported in Maine this calendar year, compared with 75 cases at the same time last year. The majority of cases have been in Cumberland, Somerset, and Penobscot counties, with most cases in children ages 7 to 19. Weekly pertussis updates are available on the Maine CDC website (http://www.mainepublichealth.gov/), updated every Thursday. This week's update is available at: http://go.usa.gov/fMC

US CDC recently issued a MMWR about the pertussis epidemic in Washington state, which suggests early waning of immunity from acellular pertussis vaccines.

For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO

Pertussis (whooping cough) update 6/14/12

Maine, like many other states, has been experiencing an increasing number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases over the past year. Maine CDC is posting weekly pertussis updates on its website. Today’s update is available at http://go.usa.gov/vxX


Maine CDC has issued public service announcements about vaccinating adults that have contact with infants against pertussis in English and Spanish. These videos were created with permission from the Texas Department of State Health Service.

For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO or this US CDC blog 

Pertussis (whooping cough) update 6/7/12

There have been a total of 111* pertussis cases reported statewide through June 6, 2012, compared to 50 reported cases in 2011 during the same period. *Additional cases may have occurred especially in the most recent weeks that are not included in this report.


The full weekly pertussis update is available on our website.
 
Maine CDC issued a health alert about increasing pertussis on May 15.
 
See our new PSA in English:

 
And Spanish:

Pertussis

Maine, like many other states, has been experiencing an increasing number of pertussis cases over the past year. Between January 1 and May 11 of this year, 55 pertussis cases have been reported to Maine CDC from nine Maine counties.

More than 200 cases of pertussis were reported to Maine CDC in 2011, far exceeding the 53 reported cases in 2010 and the 10-year average of 82 cases per year.

Clusters of pertussis have occurred in schools, child care centers, camps, sport teams, and workplaces. Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that can last for many weeks. It is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions of infected persons. Classic pertussis symptoms include paroxysmal cough, whoop, and posttussive vomiting. Pertussis can cause serious illness and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants. More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get pertussis must be hospitalized.

For more information, see Maine CDC’s May 15 Health Alert (http://go.usa.gov/pa9) or visit http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/

Pertussis 2011 Summary

More than 200 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were reported to Maine CDC during 2011, far exceeding the number of reported cases in 2010 (53) and the 10-year average of 82 cases per year. 

The number of cases reported per week during 2011 peaked at 21 in the second week of November, but decreased to 5 or fewer cases per week during December. The majority of reported pertussis infections occurred in Penobscot County (67%), but sporadic infections occurred in other parts of the state. Clusters of pertussis occurred in schools, camps, sport teams and workplaces. 

Pertussis is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable, respiratory disease that can last for many weeks. Pertussis is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions of infected persons who cough or breathe on someone else. Classic pertussis symptoms include paroxysmal cough, whoop, and posttussive vomiting.  Pertussis can cause serious illness and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants.

Maine CDC has worked extensively with schools and communities to implement control measures and prevent disease transmission. These efforts include numerous health communications to inform medical providers, school officials, child care providers, and the public about pertussis and how to prevent infections. Maine CDC collaborated with school officials in two schools that experienced pertussis outbreaks to rapidly organize and stand up pertussis vaccination clinics. Maine CDC also requested assistance from US CDC to better understand the school outbreaks, determine the effectiveness of pertussis booster vaccinations in preventing disease transmission, and the acceptability of providing pertussis vaccine in school settings during an outbreak.

Medical providers should continue to be on the lookout for pertussis.  Providers should also check the vaccination status of their patients and make sure they are up to date for age on pertussis vaccines.

• General information on pertussis can be found on the Maine CDC website or the US CDC website. 
• For information about pertussis vaccine or vaccine schedules please contact the Maine Immunization program at www.immunizeme.org or by calling 1-800-867-4755.
• Maine CDC epidemiologists are available to answer any questions about pertussis diagnosis or management through the 24/7 disease reporting line at 1-800-821-5821.

Pertussis

 There have been about 150 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reported in Maine so far in 2011, compared with 53 for all of 2010 and 80 in 2009. About 64% of 2011 cases have been in residents of Penobscot County. Clusters of pertussis have been reported in schools, camps, sport teams, and workplaces.

Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable respiratory disease that can last for many weeks. It is spread from person to person through the air.  The first signs of pertussis are similar to a cold (sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever, and a cough).  After one or two weeks, the cough gets worse.  For example:

• The cough occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath.
• Many children will make a high-pitched whooping sound when breathing in after a coughing episode.  Whooping is less common in infants and adults.
• After a coughing spell, the person may throw up.
• The person may look blue in the face and have a hard time breathing. 
• The cough is often worse at night.
• Between coughing spells, the person seems well, but the illness is exhausting over time.
• Over time, coughing spells become less frequent, but may continue for several weeks or months.

Pertussis can be very serious, especially in infants. The most common complication of pertussis is bacterial pneumonia. Rare complications include seizures, inflammation of the brain, and death.

Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics, but treatment may not cure the coughing right away.

The most effective way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination with DTaP for infants and children and with Tdap for pre-teens, teens, and adults. Clinicians should check the vaccine status of their patients to make sure they are up to date for their age. A summary of pertussis vaccine recommendations broken down by age and other life factors is available at http://go.usa.gov/ITj

For More Information:

• General information on pertussis can be found on the Maine CDC website http://maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/vaccine/pertussis.shtml or US CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/ 
• For information about pertussis vaccine or vaccine schedules, please contact the Maine Immunization program at www.immunizeme.org or by calling 1-800-867-4755
• Disease reporting or consultation is available by calling Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821

Increase in pertussis

Between Jan. 1 and July 22, 72 pertussis cases were reported to Maine CDC, compared to 20 cases reported for the same period in 2010. Clusters of pertussis cases have been reported in schools, camps, sport teams, and workplaces with the largest number of clusters identified in Penobscot county. Cases range in age from 1 month to 79 years. One infant has recently been hospitalized with life-threatening symptoms.

Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that can last for many weeks. It is transmitted through direct contact with the respiratory secretions of infected people. Symptoms include cough, paroxysms, whoop, and post-tussive vomiting. Pertussis can cause serious illness in infants, children, and adults and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants. More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get pertussis must be hospitalized.

For more information and clinical guidance, please see this Health Alert.

Increase in pertussis

Since November 1, 2010, there have been 14 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reported to Maine CDC. Cases have been reported in Cumberland, Aroostook, Androscoggin, and Hancock counties with an identified cluster of cases in Penobscot county. Cases range in age from 7 years to 60 years. For the same time frame in 2009, 7 cases of pertussis were reported.

Coughing fits due to pertussis infection can last for up to 10 weeks or more; sometimes known as the “100 day cough.” Pertussis can cause serious illness in infants, children and adults and can even be life-threatening, especially in infants. More than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get pertussis must be hospitalized.

The most effective way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination with DTaP for infants and children and with Tdap for pre-teens, teens and adults — protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time. Pertussis is generally treated with antibiotics, which are used to control the symptoms and to prevent infected people from spreading the disease.

For more information, see this Health Alert.