Health Updates

HEALTH ALERT: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Schools

HEALTH ISSUE ALERT

TO: Superintendents, Heads of Private Schools, School Nurses
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner, and Dora Anne Mills, MD, MPH
RE: HEALTH ALERT: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Schools
 

At the request of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), we are sharing this important guidance to schools regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The information and guidance in this letter was developed by the Maine CDC, the lead agency in public health initiatives that involve schools.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a very serious viral infection transmitted to people from the bite of an infected mosquito.  One third of those identified with EEE will die of the disease, and half of the survivors suffer from permanent brain damage.  The disease is especially severe in children (as well as adults over 50).  The transmission cycle of EEE virus is most common in and near areas of wetlands, especially freshwater hardwood and cedar wetlands.  There is no vaccine or effective treatment for humans.  Therefore, prevention strategies are critical.
 
EEE virus was first detected in Maine in horses, birds, and mosquitoes in York County in 2005.  A man spending time in Cumberland County in the fall of 2008 died of the disease.  In recent days and weeks the virus has killed horses in York, Cumberland, Kennebec, Waldo, and Penobscot Counties.  These horses mean infected mosquitoes posing a risk to people are present.  Although the risk of contracting the disease from one particular mosquito bite is very small, since any one mosquito is unlikely to be infected, the risk for contracting EEE is much more widespread geographically than previously thought.  As a result, all Mainers, communities, and schools should take action.

Schools play an important role in preventing EEE.  Maine CDC and its consulting experts recommend: 

• Cover up outdoors.
  Children on outdoor field trips and participating in other outdoor activities for a significant amount of time when the temperature is above 50 degrees should be encouraged to:
• Cover up.  Cover up with long sleeve shirts, pants, and socks; and/or
   
• Use repellent.
  Use a US CDC-recommended effective insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and/or clothing.  The repellent/insecticide permethrin can be used on clothing and can be effective through several washes.  Always follow the package directions.  For details on recommended repellents see: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insectrepellent.htm .
• Limit/reschedule evening outdoor activities or use insect repellent.
  Unless the dusk temperature is forecast to be less than 50 degrees, limit and even reschedule outdoor group evening activities such as school athletic events so people are able to go indoors by one hour before sunset, or make sure participants are using and spectators know to use insect repellent.

• Implement mosquito control strategies.
  Since we anticipate the risk from EEE to continue after this year, schools should consider implementing mosquito control strategies that include school-wide education on personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites and the hiring of a licensed commercial pesticide applicator company.  This latter strategy is especially true in those areas with cases of already identified EEE or near freshwater hardwood or cedar wetlands.  A list of licensed companies can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/public/mosquito_control_list.htm . 

The Maine CDC has also created a one-page fact sheet for parents which we encourage you to send home with students, share by email, and/or post on your school website(s), as you deem appropriate. You can access the fact sheet here:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/vector-borne/eee/EEE-Fact-Shee-Parents.doc

Resources to learn more about EEE and mosquito control:

• Maine CDC website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/vector-borne/index.shtml
• Board of Pesticide Control at 207-287-2731 or http://www.thinkfirstspraylast.org (information on pesticide regulations, licensed applicators, pesticide effects)
• Maine CDC conference call on EEE for Tuesday September 22nd at 12 noon.  The call-in number is: 1-800-914-3396 and the pass code is:  473623.

We recognize this has been a very hectic year for schools to address several recent and major public health issues affecting Maine's children.  Maine Department of Education and Maine CDC continue to work very closely together and are greatly appreciative of your assistance in keeping Maine's children and school communities healthy.

NOTE: This Health Alert Issue is being archived as Informational Letter #23 and can be found on the Informational Letters web page: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/ilethome.shtml

September is Head Lice Prevention Month!

This is the time of year when we see a few cases of head lice in school. Anyone can get head lice...mainly through direct head-to-head contact but also from shared hats, brushes and other personal items. Head lice are a problem in many communities and do not reflect poor hygiene of social status. Please do your part to prevent the spread of this condition by checking your child(ren, on a regular basis. Lice infestation is much easier to treat if caught early.

The following information was taken from Husson Pediatrics Newsletter.
"I think my child may have head lice. What should I do?"

The treatment for head lice can be expensive and exhausting. To treat head lice, you will need to buy an over-the-counter lice treatment and apply according to package directions. It is important to be aware that the treatment kills lice only, not the nits (eggs). Nits are firmly attached to the hair, so repeat treatment will be needed if not all the nits were removed. Be prepared to spend approximately 1-2 hours daily for two weeks on nit removal. Purchase a "Nit Comb" and comb, comb, comb!! To prevent re-infestations, concentrate on cleaning and vacuuming anything that your child's head may have contacted within the previous few days. Washing, soaking or drying items at temperatures above 130 degrees F will kill stray lice and nits. Check everyone else's head in the home. To prevent re-infestation at school, remind your child to store jackets in a large backpack or plastic bag rather than on a communal coat hook and never, never, share combs and hats.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Mrs. Hinse at school

Mrs. C. Hinse, R.N., School Nurse

For more information, go to HeadLice.org at http://headlice.org/