Maine CDC reminds everyone to take everyday preventive measures
against influenza:
• Wash your
hands
• Cover your
cough
• Stay home
when ill
• Get
vaccinated - a searchable county listing of flu clinics is available at
http://www.211maine.org/flu-clinics/
Surveillance
Maine CDC reported no flu activity for the week ending Oct.
22. Weekly updates on flu activity in Maine
are available at
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/influenza_surveillance_weekly_updates.shtml
Weekly updates for the US are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm and international updates are
available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/international/activity.htm.
Maine CDC issued a health alert on Oct. 19
about a
human case of novel influenza virus of swine origin. US
CDC confirmed the novel strain in a child from Cumberland County. A primary care provider evaluated the child,
and provided treatment. The child was
not hospitalized.
Maine CDC recommends the following for healthcare providers:
• Maintain a
heightened awareness for influenza-like illness (ILI)
defined as fever greater than 100° with cough or sore throat, in the absence of
another known cause.
• Consider
influenza testing by PCR for:
o patients
with ILI with recent exposure to pigs
o patients
with ILI who are hospitalized
o patients
with ILI who have died
o patients
where a diagnosis of influenza would affect clinical care, infection control,
or management of contacts
• Consider
use of antivirals to quickly limit potential human transmission
• Vaccinate
patients and healthcare workers as a primary strategy to prevent influenza
Please report any cases of laboratory positive influenza to
Maine CDC by fax (1-800-293-7534) or by phone through our 24-hour Disease
Reporting and Consultation Hotline (1-800-821-5821). All influenza A rapid positive tests should
be confirmed by PCR.
Vaccination
Maine CDC has already distributed almost 190,000 doses of
state-supplied influenza vaccine to registered providers for the 2011-2012
season.
Nearly 80 school districts are offering school-located flu
vaccine clinics (SLVC) again this year. Almost 270 clinics are registered. A
list of participating schools is posted at
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/flu-clinics.shtml
Schools offering vaccine to students may also provide
state-supplied flu vaccine to staff and their dependents to make school clinics
more simple, sustainable, and consistent with past practices. Maine CDC will be evaluating the
sustainability of this approach for future years. Schools wishing to provide
state-supplied flu vaccine to staff and their dependents must be registered
through the SLVC process and report vaccine usage through ImmPact2. The letter regarding roster billing for staff
vaccinations at school clinics and the roster form are both available in the
SLVC toolkit at www.maineflu.gov.
US CDC updates
US CDC has
updated the following information on its website:
• seasonalflu vaccine dosage and administration Q&A
