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

Greater Portland Health Fair to focus on health screenings and referrals for the racial and ethnic minority communities  (5/7/2008)
The event will celebrate the health and well being of Portland’s vibrant ethnic communities with multicultural food, dance, health education and screenings, and festivities. More

State Fire Marshal and Smoke-Free Housing Coalition of Maine Urge Adoption of Smoke-Free Housing Policies  (4/23/2008)
“The fact is that smoking is and continues to be a leading cause of fire related deaths, injuries, and property loss. The combined social and economic impact of smoking illnesses and fires caused by smoking is significant. It is also preventable”, stated State Fire Marshal John C. Dean. More

The One Maine One Portland Coalition Launches Yahoo! Group in Portland Supporting Time To Talk™   (4/10/2008)
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and The One Maine One Portland Coalition (City of Portland, Public Health Division, H&HSD) today launched a local Yahoo! Group in Portland, Maine in support of the Partnership’s nationwide parent movement, Time To Talk™ More

Cereal recalled due to contamination with Salmonella  (4/10/2008)
On April 5, 2008 the Malt-O-Meal Company of Minnesota announced a recall of unsweetened puffed rice and unsweetened puffed wheat cereals. In addition to Malt-O-Meal’s own brand, these cereals are sold under multiple labels including the store brands for Hannaford and Shaw’s Supermarkets. More

FoodBorne Illness UnderReported Nationwide  (4/7/2008)
For every one case of salmoneliosis (a common foodborne illness) reported, there are an estimated 38 that go unreported. More

Adults Lack Vaccination Awareness  (3/20/2008)
Despite the proven effectiveness of vaccines and their potential to save thousands of U.S. lives every year, American adults are receiving needed immunizations at alarmingly low rates. More

Canadian Firm Recalls Chicken Entrees for Possible Listeria Contamination  (3/3/2008)
Inovata Foods is recalling approximately 3,780 pounds of frozen chicken entrées that may be contaminated with L. monocytogenes. More

The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report is now Available.  (2/19/2008)
The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report for the Portland Public Health Division is now available for public viewing. More

Maine Animal Rabies Update Now Available  (1/29/2008)
The Maine Animal Rabies final update for the year 2007 is now available from the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More

Norovirus cases in Southern Maine  (1/23/2008)
Norovirus cases have been reported in Cumberland County. Click here to learn more about these potentially severe gastrointestinal viruses. More

Maine Still #1 in Tobacco Control  (1/10/2008)
Maine’s two-year record of perfect grades in tobacco control came to an end today as the American Lung Association’s annual report card now shows that improvement is needed when it comes to cigarette tax rates. More

epidemiology

contact us

Deering Oaks Alerts
Disease Information
Emergency Preparedness
Frequently Asked Questions

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 the counties of Cumberland and York on behalf of the State of Maine. Additionally, this program provides public health emergency preparedness and response consultation, coordination, implementation and evaluation for Cumberland and York counties.

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 York and Cumberland county governments, health care providers and institutions, and other traditional and non-traditional local, regional and state partners of public health and emergency preparedness.