Cases of mpox in Ottawa

To:       Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics and Walk-in Clinics
Date:    August 18, 2023
From:   Dr. Laura Bourns, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,
This public health alert is to inform you of a return of mpox activity locally in Ottawa.

OPH has recently received reports of two confirmed cases of mpox (previously known as monkeypox), with presumed local acquisition. Prior to these cases, the last confirmed case of mpox in Ottawa was in October 2022.

Please be aware of the...

Newly Reportable Tick-borne Diseases

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Departments, Walk-in Clinics, Travel Clinics
Date: 27 July 2023
From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health
We are writing to inform you that the Ontario Ministry of Health recently made anaplasmosis (human granulocytic anaplasmosis), babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease reportable. 
Anaplasma phagocytophilum (a tick-borne intracellular bacteria), Babesia microti (a tick-borne intracellular protozoan parasite), and Powassan virus

Provincial Rapid Antigen Tests Availability and Ordering

To:         Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics
Date:     July 17, 2023
From:    Dr. Laura Bourns (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the lower rates of COVID-19, high vaccination rates, and decreasing demand for COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs), the province started winding down the Rapid Antigen Test Public Distribution Program on June 30, 2023. 

To support ongoing access to COVID-19 testing, in particular for people who may be eligible for COVID-19...

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwifery Leads, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, and other Vaccine Providers
Date: July 12, 2023
From: Dr. Michelle Foote (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues:

Updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance

Ontario has updated its COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance as of July 7, 2023. Key updates include: 

• Bivalent mRNA vaccines are recommended to be used for primary series initiation or completion in individuals 6 months and older. Monovalent mRNA vaccine...

Tick Season: Quick Links to Resources for managing Lyme and other tick-borne diseases

It’s tick season and very likely that you will be asked about ticks and Lyme disease in your practice. Ticks can carry pathogens of a host of communicable diseases including Powassan virus disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases are important interventions.

In 2022, 221 cases of Lyme disease reported to Ottawa Public Health met confirmed or probable case definitions.  All of Ottawa continues to be considered an at-risk area: Ontario...