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Stay Healthy This Winter! (12/23/2008)
Stay healthy this winter with some useful tips from Maine Center for Disease Control.
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G&J Gourmet Market Cocoa Mix Recall (12/19/2008)
Dorsey Marketing Inc. of Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, is voluntarily recalling three
G&J Gourmet Market cocoa products because they may contain melamine. These products are sold at
Big Lots stores around the country.
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Flu Virus Offically Here (12/18/2008)
Influenza has officially arrived in Maine. The first laboratory confirmed cases of influenza were
reported this week.
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*Health Advisory* Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (12/9/2008)
Domestic violence can take many different forms, including physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and psychological abuse, often forming a pattern of coercive and intimidating behaviors.
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Initiative to Support Healthy Youth in Portland - Request for Applications (12/3/2008)
Two mini-grants now available from Healthy Portland for up to $1500.
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Hepatitis A in the Kennebunk Area (11/7/2008)
Hepatitis A is an uncommon disease in Maine. An average of 11 cases are identified in Maine each year.
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Smoke-free Ordinance for Outdoor Dining Now in Effect (10/2/2008)
A new smoke-free ordinance is now in effect in Portland. The ordinance prohibits smoking within the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars in Portland where beverage or dining service is available until 10:00 PM.
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Recall of Frozen Chicken Meals That May Contain Foreign Materials (11/17/2008)
Nestlé Prepared Foods Company is recalling approximately 879,565 pounds of frozen chicken meals that may contain foreign materials.
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Mosquitoes in Arundel Test Positive for EEE (10/9/2008)
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within the Maine DHHS is reporting that a pool of mosquitoes, collected on September 30, 2008 from the town of Arundel in York County, has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
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Cumberland Farms Joins the “NO BUTS” Program (10/7/2008)
The program provides retailers with the materials they need to properly train employees to prevent underage tobacco sales, while stressing the underlying compelling health reasons for restricting sales of tobacco to teens.
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Maine's Immunization Coalition Decries State's Immunization Rates (10/2/2008)
Maine falls from #1 in the country to the lowest ranking in the New England Region.
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Help us help you! (6/3/2008)
Help the Public Health Division focus its efforts on the health problems in your community by participating in our Municipal Health Survey.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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health alert network (han)
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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
outbreak, 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 or 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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