H1N1 Influenza Update:
Maine Public Information Hotline for H1N1 Flu: 1-888-257-0990
Maine CDC Emergency Healthcare Professional Hotline 1-800-821-5821
H1N1 activity continues in Maine as well as across the U.S., but in more diminished levels than in November and December. Data indicates that H1N1 flu has been relatively mild in Maine compared with other states, and continues to decline at the present. About 64% of Maine resident cases have been under the age of 25 and nationally, data indicates that H1N1 is striking young people the hardest. Deaths in Maine due to H1N1 have brought the total to 17 since August. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but is expected to continue for weeks. It’s possible that the United States could experience another wave of flu activity caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal influenza. Maine CDC is now recommending H1N1 vaccine be made available to anyone who wants it, as local supply allows and with an emphasis on prioritizing injectable vaccine for those at highest risk for complications. Remember that H1N1 poses the threat of being at least as serious as seasonal flu and in addition, because this is a new virus, most people do not have natual immunity to it. There is still more influenza across the country then is usually seen this time of year, and vaccination remains the best protection against the flu. Now is an excellent time to get vaccinated, so you will be protected during the next wave of flu. Weekly updates can now be found at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/swine-flu-2009.shtml
Regarding H1N1, there appears to be a high spread among children and young adults. Because recommendations from U.S. CDC are being updated frequently, we strongly urge clinicians, school officials, and others to review the most updated guidance before making clinical or closure decisions. US CDC guidance and recommendations can be accessed at this site: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/. Maine has received more then 500,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine since October and based on recent demand, Maine CDC is now recommending that H1N1 vaccine be offered to anyone who wishes to receive it. The focus for vaccine will still be the five high priority groups as defined by US CDC, but in many places public clinics will not need to turn others away. Check the vaccine clinic locator at www.maineflu.gov call 211 or contact your own health care provider for the location of a vaccine clinic near you.
It is important that health care providers who want to have H1N1 vaccine shipped directly to them register as an H1N1 provider and place orders as soon as possible. For more information see the section for health care providers as www.maineflu.gov.
We all need to stay informed, be prepared, and most importantly practice proper respiratory hygiene, including the following steps:
1. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
2. Wash your hands often with soap & water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
4. If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.
Maine CDC is working with the Regional Resource Centers at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Central Maine Medical Center, and Maine Medical Center, to assure that all health care providers and Emergency Medical Services personnel (EMS) are offered H1N1 vaccine during the first few weeks of its arrival.
NIMS Reminder: Hospital employees who may take a leadership role or be part of the Hospital's Incident Command System (ICS) in a hospital disaster or emergency incident have to complete NIMS training. You may go online to www.training.fema.gov to fulfill these requirements.
Maine's Health Alert Network Update:
Maine CDC has adopted an easy to use two-way Internet-based alerting and messaging system accessible from anywhere. The Maine Health Alert Network (now known as MaineHAN) provides 24/7/365 up to date alerts and information from Maine’s public health officials. The MaineHAN will be a messaging tool for all public health partners, allowing communication among rural and metro Healthcare Systems professionals, hospitals, health centers, EMS, environmental health, police, fire, National Guard and others. MaineHAN is a secure web based internet site that is as easy to use as email.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness is pleased to announce the roll-out of a new alerting engine for The Maine Health Alert Network (MaineHAN). The new alerting engine, called Response Manager (RM), will dramatically improve our communication during a public health emergency by providing bi-directional, peer-to-peer messaging among first responders and essential public health officials throughout the state as well as the sharing of information on the web portal. On this web portal, users receive, view & confirm messages via telephone, email, fax, alphanumeric pagers, cell phones, and Blackberries and can read news & announcements and access other pertinent links & websites. Your user capabilities will be determined by the license level you have been assigned, either Alerting, Collaboration or Administration. To take full advantage of your license level and to be able to access the RM, you will need to receive training. This can now be accomplished thru Alerting and Collaborating classes now being offered via Webinar. An updated Webinar schedule is now available. To learn more about this exciting new alerting system, contact the Central Maine Regional HAN Administrator at weymouts@cmhc.org or call the Resource Center at 795-2920 for additional information. If you have already signed up and have a profile and an account, click here to access The HAN web link
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