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This page features our periodic PICNet newsletter, which includes details about PICNet, including current initiatives and links to new resources. To receive email notifications with PICNet's newsletter, please join our Community of Practice (CoP).

Job posting with Northern Health

Northern Health has a new vacancy for a Regional Manager, Communicable Disease - Prince George (Full Time). The Regional Manager, Communicable Disease Programs is accountable for the leadership, development, planning, and strategic implementation and evaluation related to the promotion, prevention and control of Communicable Diseases and Immunization programs for NH. This role is also responsible for overseeing the application, effective utilization and ongoing enhancements of the information system that supports the...

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Emerging Respiratory Virus Update

From the BC Centre for Disease Control, February 27, 2015: There are a number of recent trends in the field of emerging respiratory viruses (ERV), including: 1.         Upswing in MERS-CoV reports from the Middle East, primarily Saudi Arabia, since December 2014. a.         In the context of the dramatic surge in MERS-CoV that occurred during the spring 2014, with amplification in the nosocomial setting, close monitoring through the coming weeks is warranted. b.         See the...

Antibiotic discovery

The first new antibiotic to be discovered in nearly 30 years has been called a ‘game changer’ in the fight against the growing resistance to drugs. You can read about this discovery in today's news, and read the article abstract on Nature.com. ...

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Flu vaccination

There were several articles in the media this week about this year's flu vaccine not being as effective. However, according to Danuta Skowronski of BC Centre for Disease Control, there is still cross-protection even when there isn't a perfect match. Per BC's provincial influenza policy, health-care workers must still either get their flu vaccination or wear a mask for the entirety of flu season. Beginning Monday, December 1, 2014 you will need to...

Emerging respiratory-borne viruses update from BCCDC

Below is an update from BCCDC on emerging respiratory-borne viruses (ERV), including details related to: Increase in MERS-CoV cases in September and October 2014 primarily in Saudi Arabia and linked to camel contact. Subsequent amplification through human-to-human spread within the nosocomial setting is reminiscent of SARS. Also in October, a travel-related MERS-CoV case has been reported for the first time in Turkey. Several Hajj-associated suspect cases are under investigation elsewhere but...

Ebola information for health professionals

Current information for health professionals on Ebola virus disease (EVD) can be found on the BCCDC website, which includes a link to the Ebola Clinical Care Guidelines developed by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada, Canadian Critical Care Society. PICNet is currently working with a provincial committee on provincial recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment; until these recommendations are released, please follow your facility's...