News

West Nile virus positive lab test in Ottawa resident

To: Ottawa Physicians, Emergency Departments and Walk-in ClinicsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: September 24, 2019

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has received the first positive result for West Nile virus (WNV) in an Ottawa area resident for the 2019 season. While WNV activity in mosquitoes has been low this year, risk for transmission to humans remains possible until the first few hard frosts of the fall.

Please keep WNV in mind for the...

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Severe Pulmonary Illness and Vaping

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Departments and Walk-in Clinics, PediatriciansFrom: Dr. Sarah Funnell, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: September 20, 2019

Given an ongoing investigation between severe pulmonary illness and vaping in the United States and Canada, Health Canada is advising Canadians who use vaping products to monitor themselves for symptoms of pulmonary illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and seek medical...

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2019-2020 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)

To: Ottawa ImmunizersFrom: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: September 17, 2019

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to provide information on the 2019-2020 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP). Ontario’s UIIP provides publicly funded influenza vaccine for all individuals aged 6 months or older who live, work or attend school in Ontario. The program is administered by the provincial Ministry of Health. Vaccines are distributed to pharmacies via...

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West Nile Virus confirmed in Ottawa area mosquitoes

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Departments and Walk-in Clinics, IPAC teamsFrom: Dr. Sarah Funnell, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthSubject: West Nile Virus confirmed in Ottawa area mosquitoes

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is writing to heighten your awareness of the possibility of illness from West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in Ottawa. OPH has received the first positive results for WNV from Ottawa area mosquito traps for the 2019 season.

This...

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UPDATED Rabies PEP shortage: RabIg sparing measures

To: Ottawa Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, ER Physicians, Emergency Departments, ID Physicians, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, PediatricsFrom: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthSubject: UPDATED Rabies PEP shortage: RabIg sparing measures

Following the memo sent to healthcare providers by Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health on August 13th, 2019 regarding the Rabies PEP shortage: RabIg sparing measures, the...

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