Norovirus

 Since the end of December, Maine CDC has investigated 16 reports of gastroenteritis outbreaks statewide. Norovirus Genotype II has been identified as the cause of one of the outbreaks. Norovirus infections typically increase during the winter months, and Maine CDC routinely receives reports of suspected and confirmed norovirus outbreaks each year. Public health partners are encouraged to consider norovirus when assessing clusters of gastroenteritis and to act promptly to prevent the spread of illness.

Noroviruses spread easily, causing more than 20 million gastroenteritis cases each year in the U.S. There's no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection and no drug to treat it. Wash your hands often and follow simple tips to stay virus-free.

For more information, see this health alert  or this US CDC feature.

Public Health Updates 12/13/10

NOROVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS

Maine CDC has recently investigated five reports of gastroenteritis outbreaks from Cumberland, Oxford, Kennebec, and Hancock counties. Four outbreaks occurred in long-term care facilities and one occurred in a school setting. Norovirus infections typically increase during the winter months, and Maine CDC routinely receives numerous reports of suspected outbreaks each year. Last winter season, December 2009-March 2010, there were 12 suspect and confirmed norovirus outbreaks reported, compared to 56 reported during the same time period the year before. Public health partners are encouraged to consider norovirus when assessing clusters of gastroenteritis and to act promptly to prevent the spread of illness. All of the above facilities have implemented preventive measures to control further spread of illness.

For more information, see this Health Alert: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=DHHS-HAN&id=163688&v=alert

HEALTH REFORM UPDATE

This 9-minute non-partisan animated video produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation explains health reform – what it does, what it proposes to do in the coming years, its challenges and opportunities: http://healthreform.kff.org/the-animation.aspx

Funding Opportunities

Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship (http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=58907) applications are due by Dec. 22.

Teaching Health Center (THC) Graduate Medical Education (GME) Payment Program (http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=58913) applications are due by Dec. 30.

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program (http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=59020) applications are due by Jan. 21.

OTHER UPDATES

· The Federal Plain Language Guidelines have been updated and are available at http://www.plainlanguage.gov

· Beware of lead hazards in some toys when holiday shopping: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/LeadInToys/?s_cid=tw_cdc250