Public Health Alerts for Health Care Professionals

Multi-Drug Resistant Gonorrhea and Updated Recommendations for Test of Cure

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwifery Leads, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency Departments and CHCsDate: April 27, 2023From: Dr. Michelle Foote (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues:

Multi-Drug Resistant Gonorrhea 

Please find attached a memorandum from the Ministry of Health (available only in English) regarding the detection of ceftriaxone non-susceptible gonorrhea in Ontario.

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have been...

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COVID-19 Vaccine Spring Boosters

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Walk-in ClinicsDate: April 13, 2023From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

The Province of Ontario announced April 6, 2023, that those in the following groups at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are recommended to receive a spring booster dose if at least 6 months (168 days) have passed since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection: 

• Individuals 65 years and older
• Residents of long-term...

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Cold chain breaks related to power outages following the April 5th severe weather event

To: Flu/Other Vaccine ProvidersDate: Thursday, April 6, 2023From: Dr. Michelle Foote (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues,

The severe weather event of April 5th has caused significant damage and power outages throughout the city. Depending on the duration of the power outage in your area, a cold chain break may have occurred at your location. 

• Please check your vaccine fridge(s) when you arrive on site to assess the current, minimum and maximum temperature recordings.
• Any...

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New Ontario HIV Testing Guidelines

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency Departments and CHCsDate: April 3, 2023From: Dr. Michelle Foote (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues:

Ontario has released new guidance for HIV testing, developed by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario (PHO), the Ontario College of Family Physicians and Ontario-based clinicians and testing providers. A memorandum from...

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XDR Shigella sonnei; possible sexual transmission

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency DepartmentsDate: March 23, 2023From: Dr. Michelle Foote (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues:

Please find attached from the Ministry of Health: ‘Memorandum: XDR Shigella sonnei: Possible Sexual Transmission; March 16, 2023.’ 

Shigellosis

Shigellosis is immediately reportable in Ontario (see below for reporting details). It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, directly through person-to-person...

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