News

Monkeypox

To: All Physicians, ERs, CHCs, Walk-in Clinics, Travel ClinicsDate: May 20, 2022From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues:

At the time of writing, there have not been any cases of monkeypox reported to Ottawa Public Health (OPH); however, local cases would not be unexpected. The Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario (PHO) are preparing Ontario-specific guidance. Until this is available, OPH suggests the following. 

The US CDC provides comprehensive information...

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Update on COVID-19 adverse events following immunization

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Travel Clinics and Walk-in Clinics, and Infection ControlDate: May 17, 2022From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues:

Thank you for your continued work toward the common goal of safely vaccinating the community of Ottawa against COVID-19. In the past few months there have been many updates to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance on COVID-19 immunization relating to adverse events...

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Reporting cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse PractitionersDate: Friday, May 6 From: Dr. Monir Taha (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Ontario has set up a system to receive reports of cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children up to 16 years of age subsequent to international reports of such cases in 2022. Please visit Acute Hepatitis - Ministry Programs - Health Care Professionals - MOH (gov.on.ca) for additional information. The Order of The Chief Medical Officer of Health Under Section...

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Locally-acquired typhoid fever in Ottawa

To: Ottawa physicians, nurse practitioners, emergency departments, CHCs, walk-in clinicsDate: May 4, 2022From: Dr. Monir Taha (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

When assessing patients presenting with clinically compatible signs/symptoms, please consider typhoid fever even in the absence of travel history to an endemic country. Between October 2018 and February 2022, Ottawa Public Health received reports of 5 cases with similar whole-genome sequencing in Ottawa residents that appear to...

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Influenza Activity in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives and Infection Prevention and Control teamsDate: April 28, 2022From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health

The traditional influenza season can run as late as May or even into June. Public Health measures against COVID-19 suppressed influenza, but as these measures have been relaxed, influenza has returned. Please consider influenza in your differential diagnosis of febrile respiratory illness when COVID-19 tests are negative or...

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