Health & Human Services Department | 389 Congress Street | Portland, Maine 04101 | (207) 874-8633
City       HHS Home     Elder Services     Public Health     Social Services  Jobs

health news

 Information for Providers    

search the archives

British doctor rebuked over research linking vaccine and autism  (2/3/2010)
Britain's medical regulator finds that Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who now practices in Texas, conducted his now-discredited research on the MMR shot in an unethical and irresponsible manner. More

Salmonella-Related Sausage Recall Expanded  (2/1/2010)
Daniele Inc., the company whose sausage products have been linked to a widespread Salmonella outbreak, expanded its earlier product recall to include another 17,235 pounds of products that may be contaminated by black pepper. Stores that carry the affected products in Maine include BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club. More

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Over-The-Counter Products  (1/15/2010)
The company is initiating this recall following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. These include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. More

2009 Cumberland County Municipal Health Assessments Now Available  (1/14/2010)
New Cumberland County municipal health assessments now available. More

The Hidden Benefits of Exercise   (1/5/2010)
Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases More

Vaccine Refusal Raises Chickenpox Risk  (1/5/2010)
Kids Are 9 Times More Likely to Get Chickenpox if They Don't Get Vaccinated. More

Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Vaccinations Available  (12/31/2009)
Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations will be available at the Portland Community Health Center on four dates in January. More

H1N1 Vaccine Now Recomended for ALL Mainers  (12/15/2009)
Based on demand and a large recent increase in H1N1 vaccine supply, Maine CDC is now recommending that H1N1 vaccine be offered to anyone who wishes to receive it. More

Portland Community Health Center Now Open  (11/10/2009)
Portland Community Health Center is a full-service, primary care medical facility, and is now open and accepting new patients. More

Report: Smoking Bans Protect Nonsmokers' Hearts  (10/15/2009)
A major report confirms what health officials long have believed: Bans on smoking in restaurants, bars and other gathering spots reduce the risk of heart attacks among nonsmokers. More

City of Portland Public Health Division Selected to Test National Accreditation Program   (9/24/2009)
The City of Portland Public Health Division announced today it was selected by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) to participate in a test of the new national voluntary public health accreditation program. More

epidemiology

contact us

Deering Oaks
Disease Fact Sheet
Emergency Preparedness Guide
Local Health Data Links
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.