Emerging Respiratory Virus Update
From BCCDC: With the annual Hajj approaching (September 21-26) and as we enter the regular autumn respiratory virus surveillance period, below is an update on recent trends in emerging respiratory viruses globally, including MERS-CoV and novel avian influenza A viruses. For our most recent seasonal influenza bulletin for BC (report no. 22, also posted on-line today), see: http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/DiseaseStatsReports/influSurveillanceReports.htm 1. SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS MERS-CoV While the number of MERS-CoV cases associated with the May-June nosocomial outbreak in...
BCCDC puts call out for more doctors and nurses to help monitor for flu
Vancouver – Experts at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) are already gearing up to monitor flu-like illness for the coming season and they’re looking for more community doctors and nurses to help. Influenza viruses constantly change, and each season the flu shot has to be updated to match the new strains that are most likely to make people sick. Last year, influenza got off to an early start and...
PICNet welcomes Linda Hoang
Dr. Linda Hoang has joined PICNet as Medical Co-Lead, following the retirement of Dr. Judy Isaac-Renton. This medical leadership position is a shared position with Dr. Elizabeth Bryce to lead and deliver the strategic goals of PICNet. Linda is the Program Head of the Public Health Advanced Bacteriology & Mycology for the BC Public Health Microbiology & Reference Laboratory, which is part of the BC Centre for Disease Control. She is...
MERS-CoV Update: new outbreak in Saudi Arabia
New cases Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported in Saudi Arabia. Four more deaths were announced, bringing the number of deaths in the past week to 17. The World Health Organization (WHO) says many of the recent cases are associated with an outbreak at a hospital in Riyadh. Several other countries have also reported MERS-CoV cases in individuals who have travelled to the Middle East, including France, Italy,...
CDC article on Coordinated Approach to Reduce AROs in Healthcare Facilities
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published an article on the Estimated Effects of a Coordinated Approach for Action to Reduce Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Health Care Facilities. The findings estimate that with effective nationwide action now, more than half a million antibiotic-resistant health care–associated infections could be prevented over 5 years. Read the full article here: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, August 4, 2015 ...
Breakthrough announced in MRSA testing
Micro Imaging Technology, Inc.announced that, through its collaboration with Northern Michigan University (NMU), it has developed a testing protocol that allows for detection of pathogen species from liquid cultures. Dr. Josh S. Sharp, Ph.D., assistant professor at the NMU Department of Biology in Marquette, Michigan, is researching clinical applications of the MIT 1000 System, particularly the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA). According to MIT, it...
Ebola: Infection prevention and control recovery plans in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone
An inter-country meeting is taking place July 20-22 in Liberia on the topic of Ebola: Infection prevention and control recovery plans and implementation. Monrovia is hosting a meeting of infection prevention and control (IPC) experts from the 3 Ebola-affected countries. The overall aim of the meeting is to share experiences on IPC practices, and water and sanitation hygiene, as well as to plan the recovery and implementation. Meetings such as this can ensure...