News

XDR Shigella sonnei; possible sexual transmission

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency DepartmentsDate: March 23, 2023From: Dr. Michelle Foote (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues:

Please find attached from the Ministry of Health: ‘Memorandum: XDR Shigella sonnei: Possible Sexual Transmission; March 16, 2023.’ 

Shigellosis

Shigellosis is immediately reportable in Ontario (see below for reporting details). It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, directly through person-to-person...

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2023 Update in Dermatology, May 11, 2023, University of Ottawa. Early Bird Deadline: April 14, 2023.

Provider

University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development

This course will provide education in dermatology focusing on practical diagnosis and management. There will also be updates on the latest dermatology treatment options and newest discoveries in patient care. The speakers are drawn from the teaching faculty of the University of Ottawa Division of Dermatology and Community Dermatologists.

• May 11, 2023. Centurion Conference and Event Centre, 170...

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Mumps Update: Testing and Resources

Mumps continues to be a cyclical disease in Canada, with outbreaks occurring every few years and otherwise low incidence rates. Over the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of routine vaccination have decreased, resulting in increased susceptibility for the spread of mumps and other vaccine preventable diseases.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that is transmitted through respiratory droplets and saliva. Symptoms of mumps include parotitis (70%), fever, fatigue and...

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Resources & Professional Development Opportunities

1. In-person CME Early Bird Deadline Now Extended to March 24th:  72nd Annual Refresher Course for Family Physicians, April 19-21, 2023, Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, University of Ottawa. Program Description. Register here.
2. Webinar recording : Clinical implications of new alcohol guidance and how reducing alcohol intake reduces the risk of disease (1 hour, YouTube, English only), from Halton Region Public Health’s March 8 webinar. Find Ottawa Public Health patient resources on OPHs page:  Mental...

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Test and Treat for Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Available Resources

Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection, or LTBI, can be diagnosed from either a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) result or a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test result. Since the IGRA test is not currently OHIP funded, the TST is the most common test used to diagnose LTBI. You may have patients at risk of developing TB disease who would benefit from testing and treatment of latent TB infection. Increased risk factors for developing TB disease include:

• Residence in, or travel...

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