Lead concerns

Public drinking water has been in the news recently due to the crisis in Flint, Michigan. It is important for the people of Maine to know that their public drinking water is well-regulated and safe to drink. Kenneth Albert, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Maine CDC, recently wrote an op ed about lead in Maine. Read it at https://www.centralmaine.com/2016/03/28/maine-is-not-flint-michigan/

Mumps

Maine CDC is investigating several cases of mumps in two college campuses:  University of Southern Maine and University of New England.  Other New England states are seeing similar clusters on college campuses.  As of March 17, Maine has two confirmed and one probable case of mumps.  Maine CDC is working closely with both schools to identify cases and provide recommendations for control. 

Maine CDC issued a Public Health Advisory on March 21 to remind health care providers to test patients who have clinically compatible symptoms for mumps and to encourage vaccination. 

For more information:

• Maine CDC mumps webpage: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/mumps.shtml
• U.S. CDC mumps webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/

Free Continuing Education, Workforce Development Available

Did you know that you can use MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) to further your education or to learn more about areas of interest?   

A list of the courses available can be found at https://www.coursera.org.  You can take a course for free or enroll and pay a nominal fee for a certificate.   Most courses can be completed in four to six weeks at your own pace, and you can enroll at any time.  Two examples of public health courses are psychological first aid (https://www.coursera.org/learn/psychological-first-aid) and systems thinking in public health (https://www.coursera.org/learn/systems-thinking), both offered by Johns Hopkins University.

Take some time to browse the course offerings and check back periodically as new courses are added regularly.

Preparing for a Cyber Attack

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA); Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS); Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP); the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the Department of Education (DOE), along with key public information, law enforcement and other officials, participated in Cyber Storm V, an exercise that tests Maine’s ability to respond to an attack on its computer systems and information contained within the system.  

Representing the nation’s most extensive cybersecurity exercise effort, Cyber Storm V supports strategy to assess cybersecurity preparedness; examine incident response processes, procedures and information sharing mechanisms; and identify areas for improvement.  Maine’s customized scenario included data breaches of Vital Records and other issues related to security impacting Maine’s students.  Members of the planning team from Maine CDC included Patrick Furey from PHEP and Sarah Hicks and Marty Henson from DRVS. Other planning team members were: Bruce Fitzgerald, Kevin Rousseau, Cameron Wellman, Mark Hyland and Kathleen Rusley from MEMA; Pat Hinkley from DOE and  Victor Chakravarty from OIT.

Flu update 3/17/16

U.S. CDC reports that the flu vaccine has been 59 percent effective so far in the current 2015-16 season. That's more than twice the effectiveness of the 2014-15 season, which was found to be only 23 percent effective. 

Flu activity in Maine is still increasing and is expected to continue.  Diagnostic testing is available for influenza-like illness (defined as fever greater than 100° F with cough or sore throat, in the absence of another known cause). Treatment with antiviral medication can decrease the duration and severity of illness but should be started as soon as possible. 

Flu is preventable, so always follow the “No Flu 4 You” guidelines (wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home when you’re sick and get vaccinated) to stay healthy.  For more information visit www.maineflu.gov 

March is National Nutrition Month

The theme for National Nutrition Month 2016 is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right," which encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives. How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods. That's the best way to savor the flavor of eating right!

Try some of these tips to introduce mindful eating into your routine.

• Ask yourself why you are eating
• Eat more slowly
• Savor the silence and focus on the food
• Pay attention to flavor and texture
• Reconnect to food by knowing how was it grown, where it came from and how it got here

National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created to focus America’s attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

For more information:

• ChooseMyPlate
• National Nutrition Month
  

Maine CDC, DEP Lead Training Exercise to Respond to Chemical Spill Impacting Drinking Water

In early February, 43 people participated in a full-scale tabletop training exercise where the scenario was a chemical spill Into the Androscoggin River. The event took place at the Topsham Public Safety Building. 

Participants included: Maine CDC Drinking Water Program; Maine Department of Environmental Protection; Maine Emergency Management Agency; Cumberland and Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agencies; the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection; the Brunswick/Topsham Water District; the Maine Rural Water Association; the Brunswick and Topsham Fire Departments; the Brunswick Sewer Department; Topsham Public Works; the Bath Water District; the Topsham Police Department; the U.S. Coast Guard and Mid Coast Hospital.

In this scenario, a fuel tanker and a truck containing compressed natural gas cylinders were involved in a traffic accident and spilled diesel fuel into a small stream near water supply wells of the Brunswick/Topsham Water District, threatening the wells and the nearby Androscoggin River.  Release of propane gas created a dangerous situation at the crash scene, delaying cleanup of the spilled fuel.  Later in the day, another hypothetical traffic accident occurred in a different part of town, which resulted in a water main break near Mid Coast Hospital.  This combination of unexpected events created challenges to protect public safety, maintain service to water customers and mitigate impacts to the environment.

The origin and planning of these exercises resulted from collaboration between the Maine CDC Drinking Water Program and Maine DEP’s Division of Technical Services and Division of Response Services following the January 9, 2014 Elk River chemical spill in West Virginia.  The recent Flint, Michigan water supply lead contamination incident was also highlighted at the training to emphasize the importance of risk communications during any incident that may threaten drinking water quality.

For more information on this training, contact Michael.Abbott@maine.gov or Erika.Bonenfant@maine.gov.

Zika virus

Maine CDC announced last week that a mature adult (age 65 or older) from Hancock County has tested positive for the Zika virus. The individual traveled to a Zika-affected country and experienced symptoms after returning home. Hospitalization was not required and recovery continues at home. 

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. Though less common, Zika can be transmitted through sexual contact from a male to his partner. The World Health Organization and U.S. CDC are investigating a potential link between Zika virus and an increase in microcephaly, a birth defect in which the size of a baby’s head is smaller than expected. This link is not well understood, and out of an abundance of caution Maine CDC is recommending that all pregnant women and men who are sexually active with a woman who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant who have traveled to a Zika-affected area be tested for the virus.

Only one in five people infected with Zika show symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. 

U.S. CDC has issued travel alerts for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. The most recent guidance and guidelines are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/whats-new.html

For more information, visit: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/zika or http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

Study of Arsenic in Well Water Answers Important Questions about Bathing and Treatment

Showering and taking a bath in well water high in arsenic are not significant arsenic exposure sources for children and adults, according to a new study by the Maine CDC and US CDC.

This is good news for the tens of thousands of Maine residents who likely have too much arsenic in their well water. Bathing in contaminated well water is one of the top concerns voiced by the more than 700 Mainers who seek well water advice from Maine CDC experts each year.

The study also shows that switching to bottled water or installing an arsenic treatment system at the kitchen sink—real-world solutions used by many Maine residents—effectively reduce arsenic exposure when arsenic levels are below 40 micrograms per liter. This is more good news because these strategies may be less expensive than systems that treat all of the water used in the house.

Reducing exposure is more complicated for people when their well has an arsenic level above 40 micrograms per liter, especially if there are young children in the home. For these residents, the study confirms the importance of using bottled or treated water not only for drinking, but for all beverage and food preparation as well.

Less than 2 percent of Maine wells have arsenic levels above 40 micrograms per liter.

The study examined the amount of arsenic in individuals’ urine in relation to their untreated water arsenic concentration, daily water and food consumption and time spent bathing. Participants were children and adult volunteers from 167 Maine households with well water arsenic levels greater than 10 micrograms per liter, and where residents drank bottled water or water treated at the kitchen sink.

Authored by Maine’s State Toxicologist, Andrew Smith, and colleagues, the study appears in the February 15 edition of Science of the Total Environment.

The Maine CDC thanks all of the study volunteers for their participation and contribution to public health.

Learn More

• Explore data about arsenic in private well water in Maine in the data portal
• Get private well water resources for Maine communities and well owners

Maine Earns More Recognition For Its Success in Vaccination

There’s no disputing that 2015 was the best year in Maine’s history when it comes to vaccination rates. 

In August, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention tapped Maine as number one in the nation for vaccination rates for children age 19 to 35 months and recently, the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases presented the Maine Immunization Program with six additional awards for its high level of vaccination coverage for virtually all ages. 

Maine reached the Healthy People 2020 goals for vaccination in children age 19-35 months, adolescents age 13 to 17 and for influenza vaccine for children from age 6 months to 17 years. 

In addition, Maine was cited for having the highest pneumococcal vaccination coverage among high-risk adults age 18 to 64, and earned Most Improved honors for that same population, as well as children 19-35 months. 

“This recognition means that the hard work of our staff , medical providers, school personnel and our many partners from Kittery to Fort Kent is paying off,’’ said Maine Immunization Program Manager Tonya Philbrick. “Parents are receiving the information they need to make informed decisions, and people are taking action to protect themselves against the flu, pneumonia and other diseases. Maine’s intense effort through many different initiatives has made a difference. While there’s more work to be done, I could not be happier with the results.” 

A key to the success has been communication with the more than 400 providers who are registered with the Maine Immunization Program and offering free vaccine to their eligible patients. Many receive practice-level data around vaccination rates and all have access to county-level data for comparison. The program also partners with more than with more than 130 schools and school districts to hold on-site influenza vaccination clinics. 

“While these awards are presented to our program, the credit must be shared with many other partners within state government and in the private sector,’’ said Kenneth Albert, Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Maine CDC. “This success serves as striking example of how a coordinated public health effort can yield amazing results.” 

The mission of the Maine Immunization Program is to reduce or eliminate all vaccine preventable diseases, and immunizations are the single most important way to protect against serious and sometimes deadly diseases. 

To learn more about how to receive free vaccine for your child, ask your health care provider, contact the Maine Immunization Program at 1-800-867-4775 or visithttp://www.immunizeme.org

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

Is your high blood pressure “hiding in plain sight”?

High blood pressure can lead to other health problems, such as heart attack and stroke. According to U.S. CDC almost 70 percent of people who have a heart attack and 80 percent of people who have a stroke have high blood pressure. About 30 percent of adults have high blood pressure but almost one in five doesn’t know they have it, primarily because there are no symptoms. Their high blood pressure is “hiding in plain sight.”

Ask your doctor if you have high blood pressure or visit a wellness screening. Getting enough physical activity and eating properly can help keep your blood pressure under control.

For more information on high blood pressure, including how to prevent and control it, visit MaineHeartHealth.org or talk to your health care provider.

Organ donation

Organ donation allows for healthy organs and tissues to be taken from one person for transplantation into another. The organs from one donor can save or help as many as 50 people. 

The majority of individuals who register as organ and tissue donors register their intent at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office. The Maine Organ and Tissue Donation Advisory Council has set a goal of 55 percent Donor Designation Rate for 2016, an increase from last year’s rate of 53 percent.

Maine residents who are 16 years of age or older can help save lives by signing up on the Maine Organ Donor Registry. Registration is free and takes a few minutes. You can sign up or check your registration at http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/donatelife/

For more information about organ donation, visit http://www.organdonor.gov/

Go Red for Women: Well-woman visit

February 5 is National Wear Red Day, a national public awareness day to bring attention to the leading killers of women - heart disease and stroke.  Heart disease is the second and stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Maine women.

The American Heart Association states that 80 percent of all cardiovascular disease may be preventable.  The best way to prevent it or catch it before it becomes life threatening is by having a well-woman visit (also known as an annual physical).  These visits are tailored to your age, family history and past health history.  The visits often include preventive screenings such as cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and other assessments designed to evaluate your heart health.  This will help to identify any serious health risks, such as heart disease or stroke, before they become life threatening.    

Well-woman visits should be scheduled every year.  If you go several years between visits, you run the risk of a health problem going undetected and causing damage to your body.  Medicare and most private health insurance plans are now required to cover preventive services at no added cost to you. 

To learn more about the well-woman visit: http://bit.ly/WellWomanVisit

To learn more about risk factors for cardiovascular disease: http://MaineHeartHealth.org

HHS and USDA release new dietary guidelines

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans provide science-based recommendations on food and nutrition so people can make decisions that may help keep their weight under control and prevent chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. The newly released guidelines recognize the importance of not focusing on individual nutrients or foods in isolation but on healthy eating patterns as a whole to bring about lasting improvements in individual and population health.

There are five overarching guidelines:

1. Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan.
2. Focus on variety, nutrient density and amount.
3. Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats and reduce sodium intake.
4. Shift to healthier food and beverage choices.
5. Support healthy eating patterns for all.

People should be encouraged to:

• Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, lean protein and healthy oils
• Consume less than 10% percent of calories per day from added sugars
• Consume less than 10% of calories from saturated fat
• Limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams per day or less for people over age 14 and less for those younger

To learn more about the new Dietary Guidelines and how to use them go to www.dietaryguidelines.gov

Routine Pap Tests Can Prevent Cervical Cancer

Maine CDC reminds women of the importance of regular screenings to prevent cervical cancer. January is designated National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and according to DHHS Chief Health Officer Dr. Christopher Pezzullo, as many as 93 percent of cervical cancers could be prevented by screening and HPV vaccination.
“If a woman has never had a Pap test or it has been more than three years since her last test, it may be time for her to speak with a healthcare provider and schedule a test” said Dr. Pezzullo.

Before the development of the Pap test, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The Pap test is an available, accepted and cost-effective screening test that can detect cervical cell changes before they become cancerous.

Starting at age 21, routine Pap tests for women can find potentially cancerous cells growing in the cervix. As the Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with most cervical cancers, current cervical cancer screening recommendations include the high-risk HPV DNA test along with the Pap test for women age 30-65. Women should talk with their doctors, as screening recommendations can vary for each individual.

The Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program can provide information about screening tests, as well as resources for free cancer screening services and follow-up testing if screening results are abnormal for those who meet program guidelines. Those interested in learning more can call 1-800-350-5180 or 1-207-287-8068. TTY users can call Maine Relay at 711.

More details can also be found at: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/bcp/index.htm

New diagnostic tests available at HETL

The Clinical Microbiology section at Maine CDC's Health and Environmental Testing Lab (HETL) validated 10 molecular biology assays in three infectious disease categories in 2015. They include: vectorborne (anaplasma, ehrlichia, babesia, Powassan, deer tick), antibiotic resistance (VRE genotyping, MRSA genotyping) and respiratory (adenovirus, RSV, rhinovirus).  

These new tests complement HETL’s testing menu for such as infectious agents as West Nile virus and Chikungunya, carbapenemase genotyping, influenza and pertussis.  U.S. CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have all stated in the past year that the fastest growing threat to public health is the globalization of antibiotic resistance and vectorborne disease. The addition of these tests to HETL’s menu highlights these statements.  

Laboratory Information Submission Sheets (LSIS) are available on HETL’s website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/health-and-environmental-testing/index.htm

DHHS Employee of the Year

Nate Morse (left) being congratulated by his supervisor Troy Fullmer for being named DHHS Employee of the Year.

Nate Morse, a comprehensive health planner in Maine CDC’s Division of Population Health, was named the 2015 Employee of the Year for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

One example of how Nate’s work ethic, leadership and initiative is his work establishing the U.S. CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) in Maine. Adults in Maine with prediabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The NDPP is an evidence-based lifestyle change program. Data show that individuals completing the program reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. The NDPP is currently being offered statewide through 21 agencies. In 2014, more than 815 adults in Maine completed the NDPP, significantly reducing their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

Birth defects are common, costly and critical.  In the United States, a baby is born with a birth defect every 4 ½ minutes. All women can make a PACT for birth defects prevention by Planning ahead, Avoiding harmful substances, Choosing a healthy lifestyle and Talking to your healthcare provider. Learn more: www.nbdpn.org/bdpm2016.php. 

Twelve ways to have a healthy holiday season

US CDC offers 12 simple tips for staying health this holiday season and all year long:

1. Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It's flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Manage stress. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially and get plenty of sleep.
3. Don't drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
4. Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves and waterproof boots.
5. Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke.
6. Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip and encourage passengers to do the same.
7. Get exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history. Get insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace if you are not insured.
8. Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
9. Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items and other objects out of children's reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls and other potential accidents.
10. Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so don't leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
11. Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly.
12. Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

For more information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/features/healthytips/index.html