MPOX (formerly monkeypox) – Updated guidance and reminders

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, and CHCsDate: December 15, 2022From: Dr. Laura Bourns (Associate Medical Officer of Health, Acting)

Dear Colleagues:

This Public Health Alert summarizes recent updates related to MPOX (formerly referred to as monkeypox) risk, vaccination, case and contact management, and resources for MPOX virus testing in the community. 

WHO recommends new name for monkeypox disease

In line with recommendations from the WHO and updates...

Resumption of Annual Assessment of Student Immunization Records

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, MidwivesDate: December 7th, 2022From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

Following a temporary pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is resuming the annual process of assessing childhood immunization records for compliance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). To attend school in Ontario, students need to be immunized against nine vaccine preventable diseases or have a medical or...

Influenza Prevention through Immunization: New resources from Immunize Canada

Influenza season has officially been declared in Ottawa. Immunization remains the most effective way to prevent influenza illness and complications, and this protection is especially important while other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and RSV, are also circulating in the community.

Immunize Canada has developed new resources to promote the importance of influenza immunization in different populations. This includes infographics targeting groups at higher risk of influenza-related...

Duty to report animal bites and animal contacts

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Walk-in Clinics, Travel Clinics, Emergency Departments and CHCsDate: November 23, 2022From: 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,...

Start of Influenza Season Declared in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency Departments and CHCsDate: Thursday, November 10, 2022From: Dr. Laura Bourns (Associate Medical Officer of Health, Acting)

Dear Colleagues: 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is now declaring the start of the influenza season in Ottawa. Last week (ending November 5), the percent of respiratory laboratory specimens positive for influenza increased to 9.4%. The start to this year’s influenza season is earlier than typical...