News

Rabies PEP shortage: RabIg sparing measures

To: Ottawa Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, ER Physicians, Emergency Departments, ID Physicians, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, PediatricsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthSubject: Rabies PEP shortage: RabIg sparing measures

The Ministry of Health is asking that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations be used for the administration of rabies immune globulin (RabIg).WHO recommends to infiltrate as much as possible of the calculated...

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Changes to Formulations of RabIg Available in Ontario

To: Ottawa Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, ER Physicians, Emergency Departments, ID Physicians, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, PediatricsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: August 7, 2019

As of August 2019, rabies immune globulin (RabIg) is available in 2 formulations:

• 2 mL vials containing 150 IU/mL; or
• 1 mL vials containing 300 IU/mL.

The Ottawa Public Health (OPH) physician website reflects the addition of the more concentrated product....

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Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin shortages

To: Ottawa Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, ER Physicians, Emergency Departments, ID Physicians, Travel ClinicsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: July 30, 2019

The Ministry of Health has informed Ottawa Public Health (OPH) that at the current rate of usage, the provincial stock of rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin may be depleted before the anticipated replenishing date of November 2019.

The Ministry reminds local public health units...

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Listeriosis, kale salad recall – patient lab testing

A product recall concerning a ready-to-eat kale salad product potentially contaminated with Listeria (see https://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2019-07-09/eng/1562715652993/1562715655270) provides an opportunity to outline patient testing for Listeria.

Advice from Public Health Ontario regarding laboratory testing for listeriosis is summarized in the table on the following page for convenience. The full PHO PDF document can be accessed at

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Blastomycosis case, Ottawa, presumptive local exposure

A case of blastomycosis in an Ottawa resident has been reported to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). The lack of history of travel outside of Ottawa within the incubation period suggests local exposure. OPH is writing to alert you that this rare disease can present in Ottawa residents as a result of exposure in central Canada or central or midwestern United States, including local exposure.

Blastomycosis is an infection resulting from inhalation of Blastomyces fungal spores found in moist soil and...

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