Duty to Report Animal Bites/Animal Contacts: Reminder and Resources

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 who has information concerning either or both of the following shall, as soon as possible, notify the medical officer of health and provide the medical officer of health...

Laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Ottawa: Resources for Health Care Professionals

Cases of influenza are now being reported in our community. Reported cases to date in Ottawa are influenza A, but influenza B cases are also being reported in Ontario.  An increase in influenza cases and the first influenza outbreaks have started earlier than is typically seen. As of October 18, two Ottawa facilities are also reporting influenza A outbreaks.

Please be aware that influenza is circulating in our community. The start to influenza season is declared when percent positivity reaches...

Laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Walk-in Clinics, Travel Clinic, Emergency Departments, IPAC and CHCsDate: Monday October 24, 2022From: Dr. Laura Bourns (Associate Medical Officer of Health, Acting)

Dear Colleagues:

Cases of influenza are now being reported in our community. Reported cases to date in Ottawa are influenza A, but influenza B cases are also being reported in Ontario. An increase in influenza cases has started earlier than is typically seen and the number of confirmed...

How to Open Vaccine Diluent Ampoules: Manufacturer Instructions

Instances where Priorix®, Priorix Tetra® and Varilrix® diluent ampoules with the Open Point Cut (OPC) systembreaking or shattering have been reported.

To minimize the risk of breakage, the manufacturers have provided written instructions (PDF) and a video on opening Priorix®, Priorix Tetra® and Varilix® diluent ampoules with the Open Point Cut (OPC)  system . Should the ampoule, including the body of the ampoule or the bulb head, break into pieces, you can discard it in accordance with your...

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) in Primary Care: New PHO Community of Practice

Public Health Ontario (PHO) is hosting quarterly community of practice (CoP) meetings to support Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) programs in Primary Care settings.  To make full use of this session, PHO encourages you to submit your IPAC questions in advance when registering and include details such as any unique barriers you face and what has been tried so far.  

Topic

The focus will be on using the Core IPAC checklist for clinical settings to help assess baseline IPAC programs along with...