
Outbreaks are the occurrence of disease cases in excess of what would normally be expected for a community, geographical area or season (WHO). Examples of recent outbreaks affecting public health in Canada include Group A Streptococcus, Pertussis, Zika, Mumps and Measles.
The aim of this project stream at NCCID is to provide the most recent information available on emerging infectious diseases to public health practitioners, policy makers and public health inspectors, via webinars, podcasts, publications and other online resources. Through these products, we also aim to enhance and strengthen effective knowledge translation between health practitioners and the public amidst conflicting information from various sources.
What’s New
Measuring What Counts in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Equity Indicators for Public Health
Under the leadership of public health agencies, departments and units across the country, the 2020 responses to COVID-19 in Canada have seen an unprecedented mobilization of funds, human resources and materials. Responses have involved communities and multiple federal, provincial and territorial departments across the country.
PHAC: COVID-19 Vaccine Emerging Issues Webinar: Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)
The Public Health Agency of Canada, Thrombosis Canada and the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) present a webinar to inform health care providers on the treatment and reporting of Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT).
Updates on COVID-19 Variants of Concern
SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus from the Coronavirus family. Coronaviruses are named after the Latin word, “corona”, meaning…
NCCID hosts the Public Health Agency of Canada Webinars on COVID-19 Vaccines for Health Care Providers
The Public Health Agency of Canada provides webinars for Health Care Providers (HCPs) on COVID-19 vaccines. Webinars are available, and continue…
One Infection, Four Continents & Eight Countries: the psychosocial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic
This webinar is on the mental health challenges at the population level and their behavioural response due to COVID-19.
PHAC: COVID-19 Vaccines Emerging Issues: Delayed Injection Site Reactions
This moderated, live webinar describes the features and management of delayed injection site reactions following administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
Resources
Canadian Databases for Disease Vectors
Mathematical modelling is a method of research that allows for simulations of the real world in a virtual space. For Public Health, the results of modelling can be used to determine possible interventions and optimize desired outcomes for populations.
At the 2016 5th biennial workshop of the Pan-InfORM research group, public health practitioners and analysts and mathematical modelling researchers were brought together to learn from each other how the two disciplines – modelling and public health – can collaborate to improve disease prevention and control. In the course of discussions about new frontiers for modelling and infectious diseases public health, modelers and epidemiologists expressed interest in knowing where to find data on vectors (e.g., mosquitos and ticks) that can be used to predict emerging diseases.
To address this gap, NCCID and NCCEH have compiled a list of provincial entomology datasets on vectors, including what information the databases contain and who to contact to access the data.
Public Health Quick Links: Group A Streptococcus
Outbreaks of Group A Streptococcus have intensified in the past few weeks in Canada. NCCID has developed this Quick Links resource for Canadian public health professionals to provide links to key resources and information. The pages below will be updated regularly, as needed, to remain relevant as new information emerges. Please feel free to forward this resource to others and post as needed.
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC):
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Group A Streptococcus Overview
- Diseases caused by Group A Streptococcus
- Information for Clinicians
- Treatment Guidelines
- Necrotizing Fasciitis
- Streptococcal Toxic-Shock Syndrome
News and Literature:
Ontario Specific News and Literature:
To share your questions or comments about our Group A Strep work, or to discuss the possibility of partnering with us, please contact us at nccid@umanitoba.ca
Climate Change and Vector-borne Disease (VBD)
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs), caused by agents such as West Nile, Chikungunya virus, etc., pose a risk to the health of Canadians. Climate change has been predicted to have a significant impact on the distribution of vector-borne diseases and thus introduce new challenges to public health in Canada. Additionally, factors such as international travel and northward spread from other endemic southern areas of the continent contribute to the establishment of new outbreaks. These diseases can successfully be prevented through informed protective measures. NCCID seeks to respond to the growing need of public health practitioners with new information on climate change trends and emergence of VBDs that threaten the health of Canadians.
RELATED
- Emerging challenges of vector-borne diseases and cities (Canada Communicable Disease Report, October 2016)
Public Health Quick Links: Zika Virus
Global attention to Zika virus continues with new information and developments nearly every week. NCCID has assembled these links to key leaders and sources in infectious diseases prevention, control and knowledge for public health in Canada.
- Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): Zika virus
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Zika & Pregnancy
- European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC): Factsheet for health professionals
- World Health Organization / Pan-American Health Organization (WHO / PAHO): Zika Communications Materials
Podcast
Our first run of the Infectious Questions podcast focuses on an emerging infection very prominent in the media: Zika virus.
• IQ1: Zika Virus and pregnant travellers
• IQ2: Sexual transmission of Zika Virus
• IQ3: Birth defects and the Zika Virus
• IQ4: Should pregnant travellers to Zika-endemic areas undergo amniocentesis?
• IQ5: Should mothers infected with Zika during pregnancy breastfeed?
Disease Debriefs
Disease Debriefs answer questions about important and emerging infectious diseases for public health decision makers, physicians, inspectors and nurses in community.
- Disease Debrief: Ebola
- Disease Debrief: Group A Streptoccus
- Disease Debrief: Mumps
- Disease Debrief: Measles
- Disease Debrief: Pertussis
ARCHIVE:
- Disease Debrief: MERS-CoV
- Disease Debrief: EV-D68
- Influenza Season 2013/14
- Influenza H7N9
Events
Measuring What Counts in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Equity Indicators for Public Health
Under the leadership of public health agencies, departments and units across the country, the 2020 responses to COVID-19 in Canada have seen an unprecedented mobilization of funds, human resources and materials. Responses have involved communities and multiple federal, provincial and territorial departments across the country.
PHAC: COVID-19 Vaccine Emerging Issues Webinar: Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)
The Public Health Agency of Canada, Thrombosis Canada and the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) present a webinar to inform health care providers on the treatment and reporting of Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT).
Updates on COVID-19 Variants of Concern
SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus from the Coronavirus family. Coronaviruses are named after the Latin word, “corona”, meaning…
Protected: Measuring What Counts in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Equity Indicators for Public Health
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Supporting Vaccine Confidence in Indigenous Peoples
The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH), in collaboration with the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID), produced…
Progress on Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Surveillance in Canada (2014-2019)
There have been important expansions within existing national surveillance programs (Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program and the Canadian Integrated Program…