News

Accredited Online Course : Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC)

The Canadian Paediatric Society is offering a revised and redesigned Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC) course. This online course and provides the most current evidence-based information on best practices intended for all health professionals who deliver vaccines.

Sign in and out at any time within a 6-month term of completion. Learners receive a certificate of participation after completing each module, and a certificate of completion when the full...

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Keeping Ottawa measles-free

The recent outbreak of measles involving schoolchildren in British Columbia may lead to concerns among patients in Ottawa. Reassuringly, there have been no measles cases in Ottawa since 2016. In the past, measles cases in Ottawa have been related to travel.

In Ottawa, immunization coverage against measles in Ottawa is high (94.5% among 7 year-olds in 2016-2017). Measles vaccines provide good immunity: ~85-95% of children will develop long-lasting protection against measles from the first dose of...

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New Canada Food Guide: Highlights and Resources for Health Professionals and Patients

On January 22, 2019, Health Canada released the revised Canada’s food guide. The new food guide is based on Health Canada’s review of evidence, scientific reports and studies from world-leading organizations and data gathered through public consultation.

The new food guide encourages Canadians to make it a habit to eat a variety of healthy foods each day and highlights four simple messages: 

• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
• Eat protein foods.
• Choose whole grain foods.
• Make water your...

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Order a FREE Condom Dispensing Kit for Your Waiting Room

In cities across Canada, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) are rising at an alarming rate and Ottawa is no exception. Between 2013 and 2018, Ottawa’s rate of chlamydia has had a 48% increase, Gonorrhea has seen a 232% increase and Infectious Syphilis, a staggering 336% increase[i]. The latest data for reportable sexually transmitted and blood borne infections is always available at OttawaPublicHealth.ca.

Ottawa Public Health is using a variety of strategies including social...

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Update: New resource for ordering pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia tests

As an addendum to the December 2018 article on “Gonorrhea Rates on the Rise in Ontario: New Testing and Treatment Guidelines”, Ottawa Public Health is pleased to share a new resource for ordering pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) tests.

Testing of pharyngeal and rectal sites for gonorrhea and chlamydia may now be done with nuclear acid amplification test (NAAT) [PDF]. It is recommended for:

• All sexually active individuals who have signs and symptoms at all sites where they...

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