Baby Boomers and Hepatitis C

In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, Maine CDC is featuring a three-part series on viral hepatitis in public health updates released in May.

Part 3: Baby Boomers and Hepatitis C

About 3 million adults in the US are infected with the hepatitis C virus, most are baby boomers. Anyone can get hepatitis C, but adults born from 1945-1965, or baby boomers, are 5 times more likely to have hepatitis C.

US CDC now recommends that baby boomers, or those born during 1945-1965, get tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV).  The reason that baby boomers have high rates of Hepatitis C is not completely understood. Most boomers are believed to have become infected in the 1970s and 1980s when rates of Hepatitis C were the highest. Since people with Hepatitis C can live for decades without symptoms, many baby boomers are unknowingly living with an infection they got many years ago.

Hepatitis C is primarily spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Many baby boomers could have gotten infected from contaminated blood and blood products before widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1992 and universal precautions were adopted. Others may have become infected from injecting drugs, even if only once in the past. Still, many baby boomers do not know how or when they were infected.

Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born during 1945–1965

·              Adults born during 1945–1965 should receive one-time testing for HCV without prior ascertainment of HCV risk.

·              All persons with identified HCV infection should receive a brief alcohol screening and intervention as clinically indicated, followed by referral to appropriate care and treatment services for HCV infection and related conditions.

For more information see: http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/  or www.mainepublichealth.gov/hep

Lyme disease

Lyme disease continues to be a growing concern in Maine, with 1,111 cases reported across the state in 2012.

Maine CDC is dedicated to increasing awareness of the disease and is co-sponsoring free, public Lyme disease prevention forums throughout the state this summer. The goal of these forums is to educate Maine residents about prevention and early detection of the disease. Each forum will have a presentation about Lyme disease followed by a Q & A session. 

Lyme disease experts including physicians, epidemiologists, veterinarians, biologists, and pesticide experts will be at the forums to answer specific questions and educate the public on the broader Lyme disease prevention work going on in Maine. Below are the dates of the scheduled Lyme disease forums (more to come). All forums are free and open to the public. Questions? Please email disease.reporting@maine.gov

Free, public Lyme disease forums:

• 10 a.m. to noon Friday, May 31, LePage Conference Room, St. Mary’s Hospital, 93 Campus Ave., Lewiston
• 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 6, EMA Building, 301 Park Street, Rockland
• 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland
• 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, Ellsworth Town Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth

Information about Lyme Disease Awareness Month is available at http://go.usa.gov/yTS or see Maine CDC’s press release at http://go.usa.gov/b4uk

For general information about Lyme disease, visit http://go.usa.gov/yTh

Stroke Awareness Month

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel leading to the brain (or in the brain) is blocked by a clot, or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, and it starts to die.

Stroke is a leading cause of death, premature mortality, and serious, long-term disability in Maine and the U.S. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Maine and the U.S.

On average, there was one stroke death every 14 hours in Maine in 2009.  Additionally, Maine had the 35th highest stroke death rate among all 50 states and D.C., but among all New England states, Maine had the highest stroke death rate. (The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Maine 2012- www.mainehearthealth.org)

It is important for you to know the symptoms of stroke so you can react quickly if someone has a stroke.

Know the Symptoms, it could save a life

Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical –Time Lost is Brain Loss.

Stroke symptoms include sudden:

·         Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg

·         Slurred speech

·         Blurred vision

·         Dizziness or loss of balance

·         Severe headache

Rapid treatment by emergency medical providers is important to survival and recovery.

At any sign of stroke: Call 911 immediately

Lower your risk of having a Stroke

You can help protect yourself and loved ones from stroke by knowing the risks and taking these steps:

• Know your ABCS
• Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day
• Find out if you have high Blood Pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it
• If you Smoke, get help to quit       
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and trans fat
• Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

For more information:

• American Stroke Association: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
• Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website at www.mainehearthealth.org; or contact Tina Love, CVH Specialist, at tlove@mcdph.org

Million Hearts Program- Help us prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years: http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/

Asthma can be controlled - Tips offered during asthma awareness month

Originally posted at http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=DHS+Press+Releases&id=526262&v=article


AUGUSTA – Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs, leading to breathing problems including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and trouble sleeping. In most cases, the cause is unknown and there is no known cure.

In Maine, more than 22,000 children and over 100,000 adults currently have asthma, which places Maine in the top 10 states when comparing adult asthma rates. In 2009,there were 14 deaths, 1,169 hospitalizations and 8,482 emergency department visits due to asthma, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics.

Asthma attacks occur when something bothers the lungs and causes sudden breathing problems. These are known as ‘asthma triggers’ and some of the more common ones are tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution, mold, cleaning agents, dust mites and strong smells from perfumes and colognes.
Asthma can be controlled and treated. National guidelines include using medication as prescribed – not just when experiencing symptoms; knowing how to avoid asthma triggers; working with a physician or healthcare provider to design a written asthma action plan; making two visits to a physician each year for routine asthma care; and getting an annual flu shot.

An asthma action plan gives instructions on what medicine to use and how often, as wells as what to do if symptoms get worse. The plan is especially important for children to have a plan available at home and at school. School nurses, coaches and school administrators rely on the asthma action plan when a student has an asthma attack. Following these treatment guidelines will help avoid unnecessary and costly emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and missed work or school days.

There is evidence that adults with asthma are more susceptible to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which includes pneumonia, meningitis and other diseases. Vaccines for children and adults are available which are effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death from IPD. Ask your health care provider for information about these vaccines.

The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma action plan forms and other information available at their web site: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mat/index.htm

Think Healthy. Swim Healthy. Be Healthy!

Recreational Water Illness and Injury Awareness Week (May 20–26) is a time to raise awareness about healthy and safe swimming. Every year, thousands of Americans get sick with recreational water illnesses (RWIs), which are caused by germs found in places where we swim. Poor swimmer hygiene leads to the contamination of recreational water and threatens swimmer health.

 

Here are simple and effective steps swimmers can take to practice good hygiene:

• Keep the poop and pee out of the water.
• Check the chlorine and pH levels before getting into pools.
• Don’t swallow the water you swim in.
• Take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes or check diapers every 30–60 minutes.

 

For additional information: 

• Pool safety: http://www.poolsafely.gov/
• Ocean, lake, and river safety: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/
• To reduce the risk of drowning: http://www.cdc.gov/features/drowningprevention/index.html

Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes

In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, Maine CDC is featuring a three-part series on viral hepatitis in public health updates released in May.

Part 2: Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus

CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all unvaccinated adults with diabetes who are younger than 60 years of age. Vaccination should occur as soon as possible after diagnosis of diabetes, and vaccination should also be given to adults diagnosed with diabetes in the past.

Vaccination requires 3 doses at 0, 1, and 6 months, although other schedules are available. Longer intervals between doses are possible so that it is not necessary for patients to make extra medical visits for vaccination. However, longer intervals will leave adults with diabetes at risk for hepatitis B infection until the vaccination series is completed.

On the basis of available information about hepatitis B virus (HBV) risk, morbidity and mortality, available vaccines, age at diagnosis of diabetes, and cost-effectiveness, ACIP recommends the following:

• Hepatitis B vaccination should be administered to unvaccinated adults with diabetes mellitus who are aged 19 through 59 years (recommendation category A; evidence type 2).
• Hepatitis B vaccination may be administered at the discretion of the treating clinician to unvaccinated adults with diabetes mellitus who are aged ≥60 years (recommendation category B; evidence type 2).

For more information:

• CDC Expert Commentary on Hepatitis B Vaccine for Adults with Diabetes
• Use of Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 
• www.mainepublichealth.gov/hep

Celebrate Drinking Water Week: May 5-11, 2013

This week is National Drinking Water Week– a time to highlight the importance of a safe, reliable drinking water supply to our overall quality of life – from public health protection and fire suppression to the critical role it plays in supporting the economy.


Maine CDC works together with water utilities and water system owners and operators to protect and conserve our precious drinking water sources. Nearly 850,000 Maine residents and visitors are provided safe and secure drinking water each day by more than 1,900 public drinking water systems, ranging in size from a drinking fountain at a roadside rest area to a large metropolitan drinking water system.

If your drinking water is supplied by a public water system, you can be assured that the water you receive is regularly monitored and tested to ensure that it meets federal and state drinking water standards and is safe to drink.

If you rely on your own private well for drinking water, the Maine CDC recommends that well owners test their water annually for bacteria, nitrate, and nitrite and every three to five years for arsenic, radon, uranium, lead, and fluoride.

For more information about private wells, visit http://wellwater.maine.gov. For information about public water systems, visit www.medwp.com.

Lyme disease

May is also Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Ticks are already out, and we expect the number of Lyme disease cases to increase as the weather continues to get warmer. Anaplasma, Babesia, and other tickborne diseases are also increasing in Maine.


Maine CDC has issued a health alert (available at http://go.usa.gov/Tmkd) to provide general information regarding ticks and Lyme disease; remind providers to report cases of Lyme disease; provide resources on diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease; and remind providers about other tickborne diseases in Maine.

Information about Lyme Disease Awareness Month is available at http://go.usa.gov/yTS

For general information about Lyme disease, visit http://go.usa.gov/yTh

Vaccinating MSM against Hepatitis A and B

In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, Maine CDC is featuring a three-part series on viral hepatitis in public health updates released in May.


Part 1: Vaccinating MSM against Hepatitis A and B

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at elevated risk for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, many MSM have not been adequately vaccinated against viral hepatitis. Approximately 15%–25% of all new Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in the United States are among MSM. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccination for MSM. Because of higher rates of infection among this population, CDC also recommends testing MSM for chronic HBV infection. For free adult hepatitis vaccine sites: http://go.usa.gov/TmWA

For more information: http://go.usa.gov/TmWJ

Dense breast tissue

As directed by LD 1886 Resolve Directing Review of Strategies to Improve Communication between Patients and Physicians, a work group met in the Summer of 2012 to address the issue of breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue.


The work group reviewed breast imaging standards, the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, and breast imaging reporting requirements and their impact on reporting of screening mammography results when dense breast tissue is noted by the interpreting physician.

The work group had a full discussion of issues associated with early detection breast cancer screening options for women with dense breast tissue, including input from both the patient and health care provider perspective.

The work group developed recommended strategies for improving communication between patients and health care providers when a screening mammogram demonstrates dense breast tissue. A copy of the LD 1886 Resolve Work Group Final Report and recommended strategies is available on the Maine CDC website.

National Public Health Week

It’s National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “Public Heath is ROI: Save Lives, Save Money.”


The American Public Health Association released a new video supporting the theme:



Daily themes for the week include health and safety in the home (Monday), school (Tuesday), workplace (Wednesday), while traveling (Thursday), and in your community (Friday).

For more information, visit http://www.nphw.org/

Salmonella

Salmonella infections don’t just come from contaminated food—they can come from contact with animals, too. Many Salmonella infections occur in people who have contact with certain types of animals. In 2012, there were two records involving outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to live poultry: 

1. Eight outbreaks were reported which was more than any year in history and these outbreaks resulted in more than 450 illnesses –and-
2. The largest outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to backyard flocks in a single year occurred.

Chicks, ducklings, and other poultry can carry Salmonella. Live poultry may have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (feathers, feet, and beaks) even when they appear healthy and clean.

 

While it usually doesn't make the birds sick, Salmonella can cause serious illness when it is passed to people. Salmonella germs can cause a diarrheal illness in people that can be mild, severe, or even life threatening. Infants, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. These simple steps will help protect yourself and others from getting sick:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
• Clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers.
• Never bring live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens, or outdoor patios.

 

Learn more about the risk of human Salmonella Infections from live poultry here.

 

 

Groundwater: Out of sight, but not out of mind

National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 10-16, 2013, is a good time for the owners of household drinking water wells to test their water as managers of their own, personal drinking water system. 

 

The Maine CDC recommends that private well owners test their water annually for bacteria, nitrate, and nitrite and every three to five years for arsenic, radon, uranium, lead, and fluoride.  

 

Well owners should check their water more often than annually if:

• There is a change in the taste, odor, or appearance of the water
• A problem occurs such as a broken well cap or a new contamination source
• Family members or houseguests have recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness
• An infant is living in the home
• There is a need to monitor the efficiency and performance of home water treatment equipment.

 

For a list of certified drinking water testing laboratories in Maine, see: Maine Certified Commercial Laboratories.  

 

If your drinking water is supplied by a public water system, you can be assured that the water you receive is regularly monitored and tested to ensure that it meets federal and state drinking water standards and is safe to drink.   

 

Whether you have your own private well or are supplied by a public water system, there are several things you can do to protect groundwater: 

• Properly maintain your septic system: make sure to have your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years and check for signs that your septic system is not working
• Handle gasoline, motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides and other hazardous chemicals with care, making sure not to dump them on the ground or pour them down the sink. When you’re done with them, dispose of them properly at a recycling center
• Inspect your heating oil tank and its piping to make sure it’s not leaking, starting to corrode or rust, or in danger of tipping over
• Don’t throw away or flush unused or unwanted medications down the drain. There are several law enforcement agencies throughout the state that will accept unused prescription drugs for proper and safe disposal. For more information, visit: Maine State Map of Law Enforcement Agencies Accepting Unused, Unwanted Consumer Prescription Drugs for Disposal. 

For more information about private wells, visit http://wellwater.maine.gov. For information about public water systems, visit www.medwp.com. 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

We know that colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented as well as detected early with screening. Colon cancer starts as a polyp, or small collection of abnormal cells. Colon polyps become more common as we age. The recommendation for screening at age 50 is based upon this science. Don’t delay your screening appointment if you are turning 50 – and consult your doctor about screening if you are younger than 50 but have a family history of colon cancer or precancerous polyps.

 

Colon cancer is most treatable when found in the earliest stages. Often, people have few symptoms until polyps have progressed to cancer.

 

Screening saves lives, so get screened and encourage others to be screened as well.

 

The United States Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society recommend three types of tests as options for people without a family history of colon cancer:

 

• High-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing or fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) every year: This can be obtained from your doctor’s office and can be done in the privacy of your home.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years combined with a high-sensitivity stool test or FIT every 3 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years

For more information about colon cancer prevention visit the Maine CDC Colorectal Cancer Control Program.