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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated several of its vaccine recommendations effective January 1.
The Recommended Immunization Schedules for children through age 18 is available at http://go.usa.gov/3CDeH
For additional recommendations, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html
March 24 is World TB Day.
Although we are closer to our goal of TB elimination, data
suggest that progress may be slowing. Achieving TB elimination will require a comprehensive
approach. We must continue to address TB among the hardest hit populations and
maintain our ability to fight TB whenever and wherever it occurs.
For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/tb/events/worldtbday/default.htm
An educational three-part documentary about the history of cancer, produced and directed by legendary filmmaker Ken Burns, will begin airing on the public broadcasting network on Monday, March 30, at 9 p.m. The documentary is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book: Cancer: The Emperor of all Maladies by Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. More information on this film can be found at: http://kenburns.com/films/emperor
Although cancer remains the leading cause of death in Maine and the burden of cancer remains high, cancer death rates have declined steadily since 2000 across the nation. Here in Maine, incidence rates are declining at a faster pace than the United States. Continued promotion of cancer screening according to guidelines, collective efforts to reduce high-risk health behaviors such as tobacco and alcohol use, and promotion of a healthy diet and regular exercise are some of the steps that have been taken to decrease the rate of cancer.
March is recognized nationally as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and in Maine, the number of deaths and the increase in new cases of colorectal cancer have been decreasing over the last decade due to more people being screened and improvements in treatment. Still, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer cases and deaths.
“If you are 50 or older and have never been screened for colorectal cancer, it is time to speak with a healthcare provider and schedule a test.” said Dr. Sheila Pinette, Chief Health Officer for Maine DHHS. “Regular screening can prevent colorectal cancer and can also result in finding colorectal cancer early, when treatment may be more successful.”
While many people know that early detection of cancer is important to a positive long-term outcome, some cancers such as colorectal cancer (also referred to as colon cancer) can be prevented. Colorectal cancer starts as a polyp, which is a small collection of abnormal cells in the colon or rectum. Polyps tend to grow slowly and can take many years before they become cancerous.
The risk of developing colorectal cancer may also be reduced through certain healthy lifestyle choices. Maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active, eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in red and processed meats, consuming alcohol in moderation, and avoiding smoking may all contribute to a reduced risk of colorectal and other types of cancers.
The recommended age to start screening is 50. There are three types of tests recommended for colorectal screening, which can be discussed with your physician. Screening may start younger than age 50 for those who have a family history of colorectal cancer.
It is important for people to talk with their health care provider about their risk for all cancers. For additional information on colorectal cancer, please visit http://www.screenmaine.org/colon-cancer
Research
shows that for every month a baby is breastfed there is a 4 percent lifetime risk
reduction for obesity. Breastfed babies also have a lower risk of chronic
disease, specifically Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and asthma over their
lifespan. The Maine CDC maternal and child health and chronic disease programs are
working together to prevent obesity and the subsequent health complications by
increasing breastfeeding rates in Maine.
6 for ME is an educational quality improvement initiative
focused on supporting Maine birth hospitals to adopt at least six of the “Ten
Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”. The Ten Steps are internationally
recognized breastfeeding best practices that improve breastfeeding outcomes. To learn more about the 10 steps, visit http://www.tensteps.org/
The intent
is that mothers and babies in Maine will have experienced at least six of the
ten breastfeeding best practices by 2018. The goal is that breastfeeding
outcomes, duration and exclusivity rates will improve for Maine mothers and babies
moving Maine breastfeeding rates closer to the Healthy People 2020 objectives
for breastfeeding.
Maine
birth hospitals are encouraged to attend the 6 for ME Breastfeeding Learning
Collaborative training on March 27, 2015, at Eastern Maine Health System,
Professional Center, Cianchette Building in Brewer.
For
the agenda and to register, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/hmp/panp/breastfeeding.html
The United States is currently experiencing a large, multi-state outbreak of measles linked to an amusement park in California. A total of 141 cases have been reported in 17 states. There are no cases in Maine. The last confirmed case of measles in Maine was in 1997.
For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/measles/
Flu is widespread in Maine. A total of 5 new outbreaks were reported during the week ending March 7.
Clinical recommendations and guidelines are available in the health alert issued January 15 (http://go.usa.gov/JXyY).
Weekly updates on flu cases are available online:
Maine CDC reminds everyone to take everyday preventive measures against the flu:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue. Throw the tissue away.
- Stay home when you feel sick.
- Get vaccinated. To find a flu vaccine in your area, search http://flushot.healthmap.org/ or contact your health care provider or pharmacy.
If you have the flu:
- Stay home if you are sick, until you are fever-free for a full 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue. Throw the tissue away.
- Contact your PCP if you have signs of the flu to discuss possible treatment with antivirals.
- Although most people can stay home to recover without seeing a health care provider, it is possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu. Anyone with the flu should seek medical attention for:
- Dehydration
- Trouble breathing
- Getting better, then suddenly getting a lot worse
- Any major change in condition
For more information, go to www.maineflu.gov or http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
Cases of pertussis (whooping cough) continue to be reported statewide.
So far this year, 86 cases have been reported in Maine, as of March 17. The majority of the cases are in school-aged children.
Maine CDC encourages providers who see patients for cough in an outbreak area to treat empirically for pertussis and test. Providers do not need to wait for positive results to return or a 2-week history of cough.
DTaP vaccine is recommended for all infants and children. Tdap vaccine is recommended for all preteens, teens, and adults, including health care providers and during the third trimester of every pregnancy. Per ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), Tdap is also recommended for every pregnancy in
the third trimester.
For more guidance and information, visit http://go.usa.gov/dCO
As
of March 9, the latest Ebola case count reported from US CDC is 23,014 confirmed
cases globally with approximately 9,840 deaths.
The
Maine CDC Public Health Emergency Operations Center is currently monitoring the
situation.
US
CDC has established guidelines for active screening of all travelers arriving
from the three West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea who
must enter the US through the five designated international US airport ports of
entry (JFK, Newark Liberty, Atlanta, Dulles, and O’Hare).
For
more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
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