The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team to Penobscot County, Maine, to assist local health officials in responding to a significant HIV outbreak. Six CDC staff members arrived in the Bangor area on December 11, 2023, and will remain until December 19, providing critical support to state and local public health efforts.
The CDC’s involvement comes as Penobscot County grapples with an outbreak that has recorded 30 cases as of October 2023. The outbreak predominantly affects individuals who inject drugs or are experiencing homelessness. This federal assistance is seen as vital to enhancing the understanding of how the outbreak is spreading within the county.
Public Health Response Intensifies
The decision to send CDC personnel follows a pause in federal support during a recent government shutdown, which delayed a request for additional epidemiologists. The outbreak, first identified over two years ago, has prompted health officials to seek external expertise. According to Matt Wellington, the associate director of the Maine Public Health Association, the resources available to local officials are insufficient to fully address the situation.
“We don’t have the full picture of how widely this has spread. And partly that’s because we don’t have the resources that we need to get that full picture,” Wellington stated. The CDC team, which includes four epidemic intelligence service officers, will conduct interviews with affected individuals and assist in developing educational resources for healthcare providers and community members.
In addition to the ongoing situation in Penobscot County, reports have emerged of an increase in HIV cases outside the outbreak zone, particularly in Cumberland County. A recent analysis by the Maine CDC identified five new cases of HIV among people who inject drugs in this region.
Broader Implications for Maine’s Public Health
The spike in cases in Cumberland County is alarming for public health officials, who are preparing for a potential rise in HIV diagnoses as the outbreak continues. Efforts are underway in the Portland area to increase access to testing and other essential resources as a preemptive measure against further spread.
The CDC previously provided initial technical assistance in August 2025 to Penobscot County, aiming to bolster local efforts in managing the outbreak. Despite the challenges posed by the government shutdown, the agency has a history of deploying support teams to address public health emergencies, as seen in similar situations in the past.
As the situation evolves, the collaboration between federal, state, and local health entities will be crucial in curbing the spread of HIV in Maine. Public health officials remain focused on implementing effective strategies to contain the outbreak and safeguard the health of vulnerable populations.
