CDC Sends Team to Combat HIV Outbreak in Penobscot County
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has deployed a team to Penobscot County, Maine, to assist local officials in addressing a growing HIV outbreak. The team of six CDC staff members arrived in the Bangor area on October 30, 2023, and will remain until December 19, 2023, according to a CDC spokesperson.
This federal support comes as health officials in Maine work to manage the outbreak, which has primarily impacted individuals who inject drugs or are homeless. Since its identification just over two years ago, the number of reported cases reached 30 in October 2023. The CDC’s involvement is seen as critical, particularly as new reports indicate an increase in HIV cases in neighboring Cumberland County.
Federal Support Aims to Enhance Response Efforts
The request for CDC assistance was initially delayed due to the recent government shutdown, which paused federal support for public health initiatives. During the shutdown, a request made in September to send field epidemiologists to the region was put on hold. A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted that travel for such support is not authorized during government shutdowns, despite previous instances where similar teams were deployed during past shutdowns.
Matt Wellington, the associate director of the Maine Public Health Association, emphasized the urgent need for federal assistance. “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. Wellington expressed concerns regarding the lack of resources needed to fully understand how extensively the outbreak has spread.
The CDC team includes four epidemic intelligence service officers who will conduct interviews with affected individuals and develop educational resources for healthcare providers and community members.
Concerns About Wider Spread of HIV
The situation is becoming increasingly concerning as five new HIV cases were detected this year in Cumberland County among people who inject drugs. The Maine CDC’s analysis suggests that public health officials in the Portland area are already preparing for a potential rise in HIV cases as the outbreak in Penobscot County continues.
Local health departments are actively working to expand access to testing and other vital resources to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. The CDC had previously provided initial on-the-ground technical assistance in August 2025, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between state and federal health agencies.
As Bangor’s public health department continues to address this public health emergency, the arrival of the CDC team is a significant step toward controlling the outbreak and preventing further spread throughout the state.
