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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. More

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. More

Flu Virus Offically Here  (12/18/2008)
Influenza has officially arrived in Maine. The first laboratory confirmed cases of influenza were reported this week. More

*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. More

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. More

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. More

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. More

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. More

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). More

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. More

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. More

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. 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

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

epidemiology

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Topics is Epidemiology
What is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program

The Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program is part of the City of Portland, Health and Human Services Department and provides notifiable disease investigation, surveillance and educational services to Cumberland County on behalf of the State of Maine. Additionally, this program provides public health emergency preparedness and response consultation, coordination, implementation and evaluation for Cumberland County.

Mission of the Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program:

To minimize morbidity, mortality, environmental and economic damage due to communicable diseases and public health disasters.

Goals of the Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness Program:

  1. Rapid detection of cases, clusters and outbreaks of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions, of possible bioterrorism events, and other public health threats, and emergencies.
  2. Timely response, investigation and appropriate public health intervention related to: clusters and outbreaks of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions, of possible and confirmed bioterrorism events, public health threats, and emergencies.
  3. Strengthen local public health capacity and infrastructure within the Portland Public Health Division, Health and Human Services Department and through collaboration with municipal and county governments, health care providers and institutions, and other traditional and non-traditional local, regional and state partners of public health and emergency preparedness.