Message to vaccine providers

Due to the significant loss of power across the City of Ottawa this past weekend, Ottawa Public Health would like to remind health care providers who have publicly-funded vaccines in stock to:     

• Check your refrigerator temperature logs and download your temperature data if possible to ensure temperatures remained within optimal range (2 – 8 degrees C).  
• If temperatures increased beyond normal range, follow normal procedures for when a temperature breach occurs.
  • DO NOT USE the vaccine (but keep...

Campylobacteriosis in Ottawa

To: Emergency Departments, Emergency and Infectious Diseases Physicians, Hospital IPAC Teams, Family Physicians and Nurse PractitionersFrom: Dr. Robin Taylor, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: August 31, 2018

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has seen a recent increase in the number of cases of Campylobacteriosis or Campylobacter enteritis. Since August 1, 2018, Ottawa has had a 50% increase in cases of Campylobacteriosis compared to the same period in 2017. To date, a common source for these cases...

Glucose meter(s) and multi-patient use

To: Ottawa Health Care ProvidersFrom: Dr. Geneviève Cadieux, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: July 30, 2018

Ottawa Public Health has seen a surge in infection prevention and control (IPAC) complaints over the last 2 weeks. A number of our inspections have revealed that glucose meters designed for single-patient use are being used on multiple patients. We recommend the following to ensure the safety of your patients and your clinic:

• Ensure that all glucose meter(s) used in your clinic are...

West Nile virus confirmed in Ottawa area mosquitoes

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Departments and Walk-in Clinics, IPAC teamsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: July 26, 2018

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is writing to heighten your awareness of the possibility of illness from West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Ottawa. OPH has received the first positive results for WNV from Ottawa area mosquito traps for the 2018 season. This result comes relatively early in the year and...

Cyclosporiasis acquired in Ontario

To: Emergency Departments, Emergency and Infectious Diseases Physicians, Hospital IPAC Teams, Family Physicians and Nurse PractitionersFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: July 25, 2018

Ontario and Ottawa are experiencing an increase in the number of Cyclospora infections. If patients present with cyclosporiasis-compatible symptoms between now and the end of summer, please test for cyclosporiasis to support prompt treatment of patients to lessen duration of symptoms and...