Mount Vernon and Vienna Health Officer Newsletter June 2026
Hello everyone, I am covering three important topics in this month’s newsletter. All three are related to some recent communications from Maine CDC. I hope you find these helpful!
- Hanta virus: You may have read about the outbreak of this potentially fatal virus on a cruise ship. While no cases related to the cruise ship have been reported in Maine, it is important to know about the risks of Hanta virus carried by mouse and rat droppings. When opening camps for the season, it is important to know how to properly clean up rodent droppings to avoid inhaling the virus. There have been fatal cases in Maine linked to vacuuming up rodent droppings. Hanta virus spreads by breathing in infected rodent’s saliva, urine, droppings, or nesting materials. Signs and symptoms of Hanta virus start 1-8 weeks after exposure and include fever and chills, muscle pain, headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and cough.
Briefly, open doors and windows to let fresh air in for at least 30 minutes before cleaning, wear gloves and a dust mask before cleaning, and spray rodent droppings with bleach and water and then use a paper towel to pick up urine and droppings. Never use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean rodent droppings or nesting materials.
- MMR vaccines now available directly from pharmacies for people age 3-17
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has issued a standing order (PDF) authorizing qualified pharmacy licensees to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to individuals 3 to 17 years of age. Individuals 18 years and older can already receive MMR vaccine in pharmacies under existing pharmacist authority. A separate doctor’s order is not required. The MMR standing order for individuals 3–17 years of age expands access for the community, ensuring children and teens can conveniently receive a vaccination against measles in a trusted, professional
environment outside of their doctor’s office. However, you should ask whether the pharmacy charges for the vaccine and if it would be free from your doctor.
Who Can Receive a Vaccination Against Measles at a Pharmacy?
• Children age 3–17 who are not up to date on their MMR immunizations.
o Coverage for children who have MaineCare: MaineCare covers vaccination at pharmacies for youth ages 12 and older. For children under 12 years, caregivers should contact the child’s primary care provider about receiving the MMR vaccine, typically at no cost, in the medical home or at another Vaccines for Children (VFC) location.
o All Maine children, including uninsured children and those covered by MaineCare, can receive the MMR vaccination at locations participating in the VFC program, including primary care offices, school-based health centers, local public health clinics in Portland and Bangor, and vaccine clinics offered by Maine CDC’s public health nurses.
• Adults 18 years of age and older who do not have evidence of immunity to measles. Acceptable evidence of immunity against measles includes at least one of the following:
o Written documentation of adequate vaccination
o Laboratory evidence of immunity
o Laboratory confirmation of measles
o Birth before 1957
- Browntail Moth
The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Browntail moth (BTM) populations in Maine have been steadily decreasing over the past couple of years, but higher populations of browntail moth have been found in portions of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, and Oxford Counties this year. They are present in Mount Vernon and Vienna! The microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions and breathing problems. Browntail moth caterpillars are hairy, dark brown caterpillars with two red-orange dots on the back. Older caterpillars have two broken white stripes running from head to tail.
Seasonality
This year, browntail moth caterpillars emerged from their winter webs later than in previous years and will be active from May to early July. Hairs from caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can become airborne and settle on vegetation and other surfaces. They can be stirred up during mowing, raking, sweeping, and other outdoor activities. Hairs remain toxic for 1-3 years in the environment but lose their toxicity over time.
Symptoms
Most individuals affected by the hairs develop a localized rash similar to poison ivy that will last for a few hours up to several days. In more sensitive individuals, the rash can be severe and last for weeks. Dislodged hairs can become airborne and cause trouble breathing, including respiratory distress, if inhaled. Symptoms result from both a chemical reaction to a toxin in the hairs and a physical irritation as the barbed hairs become embedded in the skin and airways.
Treatment
• Be aware of the risk of browntail moth hairs, particularly in areas with known populations.
• There is no specific treatment for dermatitis due to browntail moths; treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and eliminating ongoing exposure.
• Mild rashes may be treated with calamine or Caladryl lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or taking a cool oatmeal or baking soda bath. Severe reactions may require prescription medication.
• The toxin in the hairs is extremely stable and can remain a hazard in the environment for years.
Prevention
• Avoid places heavily infested by caterpillars.
• Take cool showers and change clothes after any activity that may expose you to browntail moth hairs.
• In areas with current or recent browntail moth populations:
o Dry laundry inside during June and July to avoid having the hairs embedded in clothing.
o Cover your face and any exposed skin by wearing a long sleeve shirt, long pants, a dust mask, a hat, and a disposable coverall when performing activities that stir up caterpillar hairs such as mowing, raking, weed whacking, and removing pupal webbing.
▪ Perform these tasks on damp days or spray down vegetation with a hose. The moisture helps keep the hairs from becoming airborne while working.