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Penobscot County

All articles tagged with #penobscot county

local3 hours ago•27 min saved

Maine logs first Powassan case of the year, signaling tick-borne disease concerns

For the first time this year, a person in Maine has tested positive for Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness transmitted by deer ticks in Penobscot County. The Maine CDC notes there are no vaccines or medicines to prevent Powassan, and severe disease can occur (encephalitis or meningitis) with about 10% mortality among those with severe illness and many survivors facing long-term health problems. Maine has reported 41 Powassan cases since 2000.

via WGME|

#cdc #local #maine

health11 months ago•12 min saved

Penobscot County Faces Major HIV Outbreak and Response

Over the past two years, Penobscot County in Maine has experienced its largest HIV outbreak, with 26 cases since October 2023, primarily among homeless individuals and drug users, driven by factors like housing shortages, drug use, and strained healthcare resources. Public health efforts have focused on testing, harm reduction, and outreach, but funding cuts and service closures threaten to hinder ongoing response efforts.

via The Portland Press Herald|

#bangor #harm-reduction #health

health1 year ago•3 min saved

Maine Reports First EEE Case in a Decade, CDC Confirms

Maine has reported its first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) since 2015, involving a Penobscot County resident who remains hospitalized. The Maine CDC is awaiting confirmation from the U.S. CDC. This year, Maine has also seen two human cases of West Nile virus, with one locally contracted. EEE and other mosquito-borne viruses like West Nile and Jamestown Canyon are spread through mosquito bites, not human-to-human contact. Health officials urge vigilance for symptoms, as severe cases can lead to encephalitis and meningitis.

via WMTW Portland|

#eastern-equine-encephalitis #health #maine-cdc