The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team to Penobscot County to assist with an ongoing HIV outbreak. Six CDC staff members arrived in the Bangor area on Monday and are expected to work alongside state and local public health officials until December 19, 2023. This intervention aims to provide critical support as the outbreak continues to grow, now reaching a total of 30 reported cases as of October.
The outbreak, which began over two years ago, has primarily impacted individuals who inject drugs or those experiencing homelessness. The CDC’s involvement follows a pause in federal assistance requests during a recent government shutdown. According to a CDC spokesperson, this support will help Maine public health officials gain a clearer understanding of the outbreak’s transmission patterns.
CDC Team Focuses on Data Collection and Resource Development
The CDC team comprises four epidemic intelligence service officers who will conduct interviews with individuals affected by the outbreak. Their efforts will also include the development of educational resources aimed at healthcare providers, response partners, and community members. This assistance is particularly timely, as a recent analysis by the Maine CDC revealed five new HIV cases in Cumberland County among individuals who inject drugs, indicating a potential spread beyond the original outbreak area.
Matt Wellington, the associate director of the Maine Public Health Association, emphasized the challenges facing the state. “In a small state like Maine, where it’s not normal for us to have HIV outbreaks of this size, we’re just not equipped to handle it by ourselves,” he stated in an interview last month. Wellington highlighted the necessity for additional resources to fully understand the outbreak’s extent, underscoring the critical nature of the CDC’s timely intervention.
The CDC had previously provided initial technical assistance in August 2025, but a request for field epidemiologists made in September was put on hold during the government shutdown. A spokesperson from the federal Department of Health and Human Services noted that travel is not authorized during such shutdowns, although similar support teams have been deployed for public health emergencies in the past.
Local Authorities Prepare for Increased HIV Cases
As the Bangor public health department continues its efforts to contain the outbreak, public health officials in the Portland area are already preparing for a possible surge in HIV cases. With the Penobscot County outbreak’s trajectory, there are growing concerns about the potential for increased infections across Maine.
Authorities are actively working to expand access to testing and resources to mitigate the spread of HIV. The situation remains urgent as local health departments strive to implement effective strategies to manage and reduce the impact of this public health crisis.
The CDC’s presence in Penobscot County is a significant step towards addressing the outbreak and ensuring that state and local health officials are equipped with the necessary tools to respond effectively.
