H5N1 Bird Flu Update
February 27, 2025H5N1 Bird Flu Notice (February 27, 2025)
The Maine Center for Disease Control has confirmed the presence of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) in multiple wild birds (four Canada geese, two red-tailed hawks and a great horned owl) in York and Cumberland Counties. Five dead birds found on Short Sands Beach were collected for testing on February 25.
Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox)
February 10, 2025Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) is a rare disease that is caused by infection with mpox virus, of which there are two distinct clades (genetic types) identified. Mpox belongs to the Orthopox genus, which also includes the viruses that cause smallpox and cowpox.
Holiday Food Safety Tips
November 22, 2024The holiday season brings people together to reconnect, celebrate and share festive traditional dishes. These meals can be memorable, and the Portsmouth Health Department offers the following food safety tips to help you prepare your meal safely so that your holiday isn’t spent dealing with foodborne illness.
Health Bulletin Board: Updates on H5N1 & Mosquito Protection
August 5, 2024For a printable PDF go to Health Bulletin Board: Updates on H5N1 & Mosquito Protection
City Offers Homeowners Free Testing Kits for Lead in Water
July 25, 2024The City of Portsmouth Health and Water Departments are taking the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue of the risks of lead poisoning by providing the following information and a free lead testing program.
Lead in Water: While the City Water System has no lead in its source waters and tests the water system regularly, as required, to confirm there are no detectable levels of lead in the drinking water in your home, that might come from pipes and fixtures, we recommend a routine water test for lead.
Hurricane Season - Are You Prepared?
May 24, 2024The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30,
November is National Diabetes Month
November 16, 2022November is National Diabetes Month, and the Portsmouth Health Department wants to join communities across the country to bring attention to the growing problem diabetes.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Schedule a Screening!
October 3, 2022
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a worldwide annual campaign to increase awareness and to promote regular screening and early detection of breast cancer.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
August 5, 2022National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages from infants to elderly. The goal of NIAM is to raise awareness about the important role vaccines play in preventing serious, sometimes deadly, diseases.
Health Department creates webpage dedicated to coronavirus information
March 5, 2020A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in December as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and which continues to expand. Cases have been identified in the United States, as well as many other countries.