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North Coast Seafood is recalling Fresh Tuna Steaks   (7/1/2009)
North Coast Seafood has voluntarily removed from sale Fresh Tuna Steaks that were sold at Shaw’s, Star Market and Big Y Stores in New England. More

Hannaford warns consumers about recalled beef  (6/29/2009)
Hannaford Supermarkets is warning its customers in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont to check their freezers for recalled beef. More

Rabies in Florida Beach Community  (6/24/2009)
Eyewitnesses saw five boys ages ~10-12 years handling, playing with, and kissing a bat confirmed to have rabies at the Ft. Myers Beach pier in Florida on June 15. More

Updated Advisory on Striped Bass, Bluefish Consumption  (6/3/2009)
Fish consumption advisory updated for two marine species caught in coastal and intertidal waters of Maine. More

Practice the 'Three Cs' to Reduce Likelihood of Lyme Disease, EEE, and West Nile Virus  (6/1/2009)
While it is important for our overall health to enjoy the outdoors, it is also important to take some simple precautions that will reduce one’s chances of tick and mosquito bites in order to prevent Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and West Nile Virus. More

Refusing Whooping Cough Vaccine Shown to Raise Risk  (5/26/2009)
One in 20 children whose parents do not get them vaccinated against whooping cough catch the highly contagious illness, researchers said on Tuesday. More

Watch Out for Food Borne Illiness  (5/22/2009)
Summer is here and so is the potential for food borne illness! Check here for some tips about staying safe. More

Portland to Host Health Fair for Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities   (5/14/2009)
The Multicultural Exercise for Health and Love: a health fair to focus on health screenings and referrals More

Portland Public Health Division Strategic Plan Now Available  (3/24/2009)
The Public Health Division's Strategic Plan for 2009-2011 is now available for public viewing. More

Grant to Fund Community Health Center  (3/10/2009)
$1.5 million from Recovery Act to fund new clinic in Portland; City Public Health Director says it will make a “real difference in people’s lives.” More

Report urges boost for US family planning program  (2/24/2009)
Publicly-funded family planning prevents nearly 2 million unintended pregnancies and more than 800,000 abortions in the United States each year, saving billions of dollars, according to new research intended to counter conservative objections to expanding the program. More

Attention Employers: Public Health Division Launches Collaborative Worksite Initiative  (2/20/2009)
With guidance from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse and the Healthy Maine Partnership, the City of Portland's Public Health Division and the People's Regional Opportunity Program have teamed up to educate employers about the impact of substance abuse in the workplace. More

Portland Public Health 2007-2008 Annual Report is Now Available!  (1/22/2009)
The Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Annual Report for the Portland Public Health Division is now available for public viewing. More

Worksite Wellness Packets Now Available  (1/12/2009)
Local Healthy Maine Partnerships team up to produce a monthly collection of health-related materials to promote worksite wellness. More

Smoke-free Ordinance for Outdoor Dining Now in Effect  (10/2/2008)
A new smoke-free ordinance is now in effect in Portland. The ordinance prohibits smoking within the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars in Portland where beverage or dining service is available until 10:00 PM. More

epidemiology

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Topics is Epidemiology
What is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program

The Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program is part of the City of Portland, Health and Human Services Department and provides notifiable disease investigation, surveillance and educational services to Cumberland County on behalf of the State of Maine. Additionally, this program provides public health emergency preparedness and response consultation, coordination, implementation and evaluation for Cumberland County.

Mission of the Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program:

To minimize morbidity, mortality, environmental and economic damage due to communicable diseases and public health disasters.

Goals of the Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program:

  1. Rapid detection of cases, clusters and outbreaks of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions, of possible bioterrorism events, and other public health threats, and emergencies.
  2. Timely response, investigation and appropriate public health intervention related to: clusters and outbreaks of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions, of possible and confirmed bioterrorism events, public health threats, and emergencies.
  3. Strengthen local public health capacity and infrastructure within the Portland Public Health Division, Health and Human Services Department and through collaboration with municipal and county governments, health care providers and institutions, and other traditional and non-traditional local, regional and state partners of public health and emergency preparedness.