Ontario Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)

We are writing to highlight two items related to the 2018/2019 Ontario Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP).

Flu activity has started in Ontario. As both high-dose TIV and standard-dose QIV are recommended products for seniors 65 years of age and older, do not delay vaccination for a particular product. Both products protect against the flu and the most important thing is for seniors to be vaccinated.

Product Changes for the 2018/2019 UIIP Season

• Quadrivalent inactivated vaccine (QIV)...

Increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Healthcare ProvidersFrom: Dr. Geneviève Cadieux, Associate Medical Officer of HealthSubject: Increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Ottawa

The purpose of this message is to alert Ottawa emergency and primary care providers to an increase in the number of pertussis cases reported in Ottawa in the past 2 weeks, and to provide a reminder to consider pertussis on your differential diagnosis of cases of persistent cough. In the presence of compatible symptoms and signs (described...

Blastomycosis Case, Ottawa ex Northwestern Ontario

To: Emergency Departments, Emergency Physicians, Infectious Disease SpecialistsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthSubject: Blastomycosis Case, Ottawa ex Northwestern Ontario

Blastomycosis became reportable in Ontario in 2018. A case of blastomycosis in an Ottawa resident has been reported to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). Exposure was likely to have been in the Kenora area of northwestern Ontario. OPH is writing to alert you that this rare disease can...

Reference guide for the upcoming 2018-2019 influenza season

To: Ottawa Healthcare ProvidersFrom: Dr. Geneviève Cadieux, Associate Medical Officer of HealthSubject: Reference guide for the upcoming 2018-2019 influenza season

For your convenience, we have collated all the key resources for the upcoming 2018-2019 influenza season into this memo. Detailed information is available on our new influenza webpage for healthcare providers: http://www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Physicians-Flu

Influenza surveillance

• Ottawa Public Health’s weekly respiratory and...

New Cases of Listeriosis associated with Druxy’s at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto

To: Emergency Departments, Emergency Physicians, Infectious Disease SpecialistsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthSubject: New Cases of Listeriosis associated with Druxy’s at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto

Ottawa Public Health has been informed of a new outbreak investigation of 4 Listeria monocytogenes cases in Ontario that are linked by molecular testing. Of the cases with available information, all 3 reported eating at the Druxy’s Famous...