News

Message from Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Trevor Arnason

On May 1st we celebrate doctors on National Physicians' Day. On behalf of Ottawa Public Health (OPH), I want to express our appreciation for the work of all physicians in our community. As the incoming Deputy Medical Officer of Health (DMOH) for OPH, I’m looking forward to leading a dedicated group of public health physicians and team members who are experienced in physician engagement. I would also like to recognize the remarkable contributions of Dr. Brent Moloughney who is retiring following...

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Professional Development and Resources

1. Immunization Information on the Internet: Can you trust what you read?  This fact sheet aims to assist your patients in evaluating the accuracy of vaccine-related information they encounter online, ensuring informed decision-making regarding immunization. The resource from Immunize Canada supports the “Protect your future. Get immunized!” theme for National Immunization Awareness Week April 22 – 30, 2024.|
   
   
2. Vaccines in pregnancy. A new factsheet from Immunize Canada was created to provide information...
   
   

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Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) Shigella

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: April 18, 2024
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Ottawa Public Health is alerting you to cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella diagnosed in Ottawa.

While the proportion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Shigella sonnei or flexneri infections has been stable in Ontario over the last 5 years (at around 50% of shigellosis cases reported), XDR Shigella sonnei cases are being detected with increasing frequency including in...

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Increase in Mpox Cases in Ontario

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: April 17, 2024
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,
This communication is to keep you up to date on the current trends in mpox activity and recommendations regarding mpox vaccination.

Mpox cases

• Ontario continues to experience an increase in mpox activity since mid-January 2024. Ongoing local transmission within Ontario continues to be a concern; only 15.7% of cases report travel outside Ontario during their...

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COVID-19 Vaccine Spring Booster

Public Health Alert To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: April 4, 2024
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health Subject: COVID-19 Vaccine Spring Booster

Dear Colleagues,

The Ministry of Health has advised Ottawa Public Health that the Ontario Spring COVID-19 vaccine campaign will run from April to June 2024. In alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations, the Ministry of Health is recommending that the following individuals who...

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