Nova Scotia company developing C.difficile antibiotic
A Nova Scotia pharmaceutical development company is $3,271,000 closer to creating a tasteless antibiotic to treat one of the most troublesome hospital-spread infectious diseases. Appili Therapeutics Inc. announced Wednesday it has finished its first round of seed funding and launched their medical chemistry lab. The company has secured $1,764,000 from private investors and received $500,000 from Innovacorp, the public venture capital organization. The remainder came from federal and provincial sources including...
BC Influenza Surveillance Bulletin: Increased RSV Activity
From BCCDC: Seasonal Influenza Circulation, with Increasing RSV Activity in BC During weeks 48-49 (November 27 to December 10, 2016), seasonal influenza activity was observed in BC. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity continued to increase during this period, notably at the BC Children’s and Women’s Health Centre Laboratory where over one-third of tests were RSV positive in weeks 48-49. At the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, influenza positivity increased from 7% in week...
Tips to avoid holiday colds and flus
It’s that time of year, when people get together more — at work and school functions, parties, and holiday events — which is lots of fun, but also makes it easier for germs to get around. Here are some tips to help you avoid colds and flus (or if you are sick, to avoid passing your illness on to others). 1. Get your flu shot in advance of the holidays It...
UV robot being trialled in Fraser Health
Excerpted from The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows News: "Violet" is one of three Xenex “germ-zapping robots” that have been put to work in the Fraser Health region, trying to ensure the rooms are free of superbugs that cause infections. Cathy Wiebe, director of clinical operations at Ridge Meadows Hospital, explained that Violet is the latest weapon in the battle against hospital acquired infections. “The bugs do change, and it gets harder and...
Heater-Cooler Advisory: Update
Following the FDA safety communication regarding possible Mycobacterium chimaera infections associated with 3T Heater-Cooler Systems, PHSA is notifying potentially exposed patients and health care providers. The information below is also available on the PHSA website: Cardiac Services BC and BC’s cardiac centres are notifying potentially exposed patients and all health care providers of a rare infection associated with heater-cooler units used during cardiothoracic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients are being encouraged to...
VIHA job posting: Infection Control Practitioner
Island Health is seeking a passionate and experienced Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner in Port Alberni, BC Reporting to the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Manager, you work with various departments within Island Health to provide surveillance and consultation related to infectious disease prevention and control in acute care, residential facilities and community settings. Based at West Coast General Hospital, you will also travel to Tofino and other Island Health...
Yellow fever: the 2016 outbreak that went almost unnoticed
The yellow fever outbreak in Africa this year came closer to being a disaster than is widely recognized, public health experts recently disclosed. The epidemic also revealed glaring weaknesses in the emergency vaccine supply pipeline. Ultimately, the yellow fever outbreak was halted only by a huge vaccination campaign that stretched supplies by diluting doses, and even that succeeded only because some unusual donors stepped in. Brazil contributed 18 million doses of yellow...