Professional Development Opportunities and Resources

1. Public Health Ontario Rounds: Update on Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease. Wednesday January 31st, 2024, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (EST). Presenters: Dr. Liane Macdonald, Dr. Genevieve Cadieux, Dr. Alyssa Golden. Webinar Registration.
   
   Overview of recent iGAS epidemiological trends in Ontario and Canada, descriptions of current approaches to iGAS laboratory testing and surveillance at the National Microbiology Laboratory, and lessons learned from the 2022 recurrence of a 2019 outbreak of iGAS type...
   
   

Update on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine including expanded eligibility

Public Health Alert

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners

Date: January 25, 2024

From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Subject: Update on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine including expanded eligibility

Dear Colleagues,

This Public Health Alert provides an update on the Ministry of Health’s publicly funded high-risk older adult Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine program. The Arexvy RSV vaccine was approved for adults aged 60 years and older by Health Canada...

Novavax Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 containing COVID-19 vaccine

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: January 8, 2024
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues, 

The Ontario Ministry of Health has now updated their XBB COVID-19 vaccine guidance to include a recommendation for the use of the Novavax NuvaxovidTM XBB.1.5 containing COVID-19 vaccine:

“For individuals who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, the ministry recommends the Novavax XBB COVID-19 vaccine should be offered. National Advisory...

Increase in invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) Disease in Ontario

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency Departments, and CHCs
Date: December 20, 2023
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health 

Dear Colleagues: 

Please find attached a memo to hospitals and health care providers from Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, to provide an update on trends in invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) disease in Ontario and information on iGAS and...

Duty to report animal bites & animal contacts

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, CHCs, and Walk-in Clinics
Date: December 18, 2023
From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues, 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) would like to remind you to report all potential rabies exposures to OPH as required by Ontario Regulation 557 (COMMUNICABLE DISEASES — GENERAL) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act: 

           2. (1) A physician, registered nurse in the extended class, veterinarian, police officer or any other person...