News

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...

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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...

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Ordering testing for HBV, HCV, and HIV related to the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lapse at a Stittsville Clinic

To: Ottawa Health Care ProvidersFrom: Dr. Geneviève Cadieux, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: July 24, 2018

Ottawa-area laboratories have contacted Ottawa Public Health to flag some issues related to HBV, HCV, and HIV test ordering for patients potentially exposed to the infection prevention and control (IPAC) lapse at the Main Street Family Medical Centre.

To order testing for a patient potentially exposed to the IPAC lapse at the Main Street Family Medical Centre, please follow these...

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Tick-borne diseases – Anaplasmosis

To: Family Physicians, Infectious Disease Specialists, Emergency Department Specialists, Emergency Departments, Hospital IPAC teamsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: July 4, 2018

A recent report of the first confirmed human case of anaplasmosis in the neighbouring Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit serves as a reminder that tick-borne diseases other than Lyme disease may occur in Ontario. A CMAJ case report in the 26 March 2018 issue (doi: 10.1503/cmaj...

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Immunization update: NACI recommends RZV (Shingrix®) vaccine in persons aged 50 years and older

To: Ottawa Immunizers From: Dr. Geneviève Cadieux, Associate Medical Officer of Health Date: July 3, 2018

In June 2018, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued a new recommendation on herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines.

• Two herpes zoster vaccines are currently authorized for use in Canada in immunocompetent individuals aged 50 years or older:
  • A live attenuated vaccine, Zostavax®II (Live Zoster Vaccine, LZV), has been authorized...

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