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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

infectious disease program

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Disease Information
Immunization Program
HIV/STD Prevention
Portland Needle Exchange
Positive Health Care

The Infectious Disease Program is located at India Street Public Health Center, 103 India Street. Program staff carry out disease prevention, service delivery and case management activities related to vaccine-preventable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis. Services include the Immunization Clinic, STD Clinic, Positive Health Care and the Portland Needle Exchange.

The Positive Health Care provides comprehensive primary care services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Our clinicians include two HIV Specialists certified by the American Academy of HIV Medicine, two nurses, a psychiatrist, and a case manager. In addition to comprehensive primary care, services include HIV/AIDS treatment, psychiatric services, case management, adherence counseling, risk reduction education, HIV testing, and an after hours call service. No one is denied treatment because of an inability to pay. Positive Health Care is Ryan White Care Act Title III program funded by a grant from the HIV/AIDS Bureau, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The Immunization Program at 103 India Street offers low-cost immunization, TB testing, and travel health services by appointment. Services include:

The Program advises parents to seek immunizations for their children from a pediatrician or primary health care provider. Click here for the most recommendations for pediatric immunization.

Please call 874-8446 for an appointment.

The HIV/STD Prevention Program offers walk-in clinics each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm where clients can be checked and treated for sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, venereal warts, herpes, bacterial vaginosis, trichmoniasis, yeast, hepatitis C and HIV infection. Counseling and testing for HIV and hepatitis C can be done by appointment and immunization against hepatitis A and B is available at the clinics. For more information on the STD Clinic please click here: HIV/STD Prevention Program.

Program staff carry out a number of community-based prevention activities that seek to increase awareness in the community and reduce the risk for and spread of hepatitis, HIV infection and other STDs.

The Portland Needle Exchange reduces the spread of blood borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B and C by exchanging clean needles, syringes and supplies for used equipment at no cost. In addition to that, participants receive education on risk-reduction, case management services, free testing for HIV, hepatitis C, STDs and referrals to drug treatment programs upon request. These services are offered either on-site or in other community settings.