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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

information for providers

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Provider Alerts
Disease Reporting
Health Alert Network/City Watch
Immunization Updates
Seasonal Influenza Updates
Pandemic Influenza Updates
Resources for Providers

Information for Healthcare Providers

PROVIDER ALERTS ON LOCAL DISEASE OUTBREAKS

-Mumps 101 (01/30/08)

-Mumps Alert  (11/29/07)

-Pertussis Outbreak in Portland

PROVIDER ALERTS ON STATE WIDE DISEASE OUTBREAKS

-Flu Update (02/27/08)

-Norovirus Outbreak (02/05/08)

-Maine CDC Health Alert Network System (HAN)

-Mumps Outbreak in 'Southern and Central Maine (11/19/07)

-Syphilis Update (08/30/07)

-Shiga toxin Positive E. coli'

-Atypical Pneumonia in College Students

'DISEASE REPORTING
How can you help us?

Reports from providers allow us to start investigation on suspect cases of Meningitis and other serious illnesses, rather than waiting on lab confirmation. This helps us limit disease transmission in the community. Unlike laboratories, providers can also provide us with clinical information useful in the contact investigation. Current reporting rates from providers are only 6% in the last 2 years! Our goal is to increase provider reporting to 15% by 2010.

How do I make a report?

Click here for a list of the 68 reportable diseases in Maine

Have questions about who should report and what you should be reporting?

--Call the CDC Help Line 1-800-232-4636 (for any emergent or other questions 24/7)

--The Public Health Division Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program has three Epidemiological staff. Please contact them for any non-emergency questions between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

-Visit Maine CDC

Sign up for The Maine CDC EPI-Gram!!

The EPI-Gram is an online newsletter that has the purpose of distributing timely information on public health and infectious diseases.  Sign up for the Maine CDC  EPI-Gram listserve here.

            Or visit an online archive of the EPI-Gram here.

Annual reports on prevalence of notifiable diseases in Maine and Cumberland County:

            2006
            2005
            2004

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HEALTH ALERT NETWORK (HAN)

Within the next 12 months, all local healthcare providers will be able to register on this web site to receive communication and clinical information via the Maine Health Alert Network (HAN). We strongly encourage primary care providers to register for this free service so we can create important links between public health and medical professionals. Information sent to you will be clinically relevant information on disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

-What is HAN?
The Health Alert Network is a nationwide program developed by the U.S. CDC to establish communication with state and local partners so we can respond effectively to public health emergencies, such as a large-scale disease outbreaks, a bioterrorist event, or pandemic influenza.

-Does Maine have a HAN?
The Maine CDC has been sending health alerts to key partners, including healthcare organizations since 2003. However, the system had very limited functionality and very limited capacity to reach end-users.
In 2007, Maine CDC plans to implement a new and expanded HAN. With the new software, we will now have the capability to send messages to an unlimited number of primary care providers. We will also have the ability to send messages to other partners, such as EMA, Fire, Police, schools, etc. depending on our communication needs during an emergency or outbreak. The new software will also allow us to perform 2-way communication.

-How will I receive messages?
Users will specify and prioritize how you would like to receive information. Information can be sent by e-mail, fax, pager, phone.

In the meantime what can I use for local updates?

You can sign up for CityWatch. CityWatch is similar to the statewide HAN system but on a local level. More relevant details about local outbreaks and emergencies will be transmitted via CityWatch, which has e-mail, phone, fax, and text message capabilities.

How can I sign up for CityWatch?

If you would like to sign-up for CityWatch please visit the sign-up page here: http://www2.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/cwsignup.htm. If your contact information has changed please email Toho Soma at tsoma@portlandmaine.gov with any changes.

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IMMUNIZATIONS

Local Immunization Updates

-News:
Immunization for Non-VFC Eligible (Fully Insured) Patients
The India Street Public Health Center at 103 India Street in Portland will provide HPV, Menactra, and Hepatitis A vaccines to fully insured children and/or adolescents. The visit fee is $15 plus the cost of vaccines ($20-$130). Patients may pay with cash or check and file claims with their insurers for reimbursement.

-Updates:
Varivax and ProQuad
RotaTeq
Gardasil
Vaqta and Havrix
Boostrix and Adacel
Menactra
Zostavax
Gonorrhea

National Immunization Program

Maine Immunization Program

Portland Immunization Services

CDC Travel Information

Other Useful Links
-Guidance from Maine Immunization Program on New Vaccines 

-ACIP Web Site

Who should I contact if I have questions about vaccines?

Contact Marty Sabol or Ruby Spicer at Portland Public Health Division with any questions you may have. Both can be reached at 207-874-8446 or at their respective email addresses: mps@portlandmaine.gov and rs@portlandmaine.gov

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SEASONAL INFLUENZA

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Activity in Maine

Maine Influenza Surveillance Program Information

How do I become a sentinel provider for the state of Maine influenza program?

Contact Anne Sites or Donna Guppy at Maine CDC for more information. 

Dates and times for Flu Vaccine Clinics in Portland

Flu Vaccine updates (Coming Soon) 

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLANNING (Coming Soon)

     -Algorithm for Case Detection and Clinical Management of Novel Influenza Viruses

     -Priority Groups for Antiviral Medications

     -Priority Groups For Pandemic Influenza Response (NVAC recommendations)

Pandemic Flu Resources for Patients

Pandemic Flu Resources for Practices and Providers

Portland Pandemic Flu Plan

The City of Portland Pandemic Influenza Plan is currently in draft form. The plan was developed utilizing models from other states and information collected from a tabletop exercise conducted with city program/department heads in October 2006. The plan is comprised of eight core components: Direction and Control, Continuity of Essential Services, Risk Communication and Outreach, Disease Management and Surge Capacity, Mass Fatality, School Preparedness, Volunteer Workforce, and Community Containment.

A review of the draft plan will be conducted with internal and external stakeholders over the next 9 months to find solutions to identified gaps and revise the document to make it more of a functional document.

The City of Portland Pandemic Influenza Plan will serve as a template for the development of the Cumberland County/multi-jurisdictional plan, which will include the same core components.

Maine Pandemic Flu Plan

     -Developed by the Maine CDC

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RESOURCES FOR PROVIDERS

-CDC Health Information by Topic

-CDC Clinical Information Services Available 24/7

                      Call 1-800-232-4636

Local Health Services:

Family Health

Health Promotions

Indigent Care

Infectious Disease

Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness

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