MERS-CoV update from BCCDC
From BCCDC: Dear Colleagues, Although it has been just over one week since our last bulletin, we would like to highlight a recent MERS-CoV cluster in South Korea that underscores several key aspects of emerging pathogen response, including travel history, prompt and rigorous infection control, and contact follow-up. Last week, South Korea notified the WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of MERS-CoV, the first travel-related case to be reported in that country. Subsequent contact...
Emerging Respiratory Pathogens update
From BCCDC: As we enter the summer months and our human influenza surveillance indicators decline to inter-seasonal levels, we would like to update you on recent global trends related to emerging respiratory pathogens, including novel influenza A viruses and MERS-CoV. HIGHLIGHTS Human Infections with Avian Influenza Avian Influenza A(H5N1). Egypt continues to experience a large-scale outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1), with year-to-date case counts (n=132) exceeding prior yearly totals in that country by...
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...
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. ...
PHAC Advice on Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Ebola Virus Disease in Healthcare Settings
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has published a new document to provide background and advice on what the minimum level of infection control measures should be based on a review of available scientific evidence. You can read the full document on the PHAC website. PHSA's Ebola resources are all available on the POD. ...
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...