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In cities across Canada, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) are rising at an alarming rate and Ottawa is no exception. Between 2013 and 2018, Ottawa’s rate of chlamydia has had a 48% increase, Gonorrhea has seen a 232% increase and Infectious Syphilis, a staggering 336% increase[i]. The latest data for reportable sexually transmitted and blood borne infections is always available at OttawaPublicHealth.ca.

Ottawa Public Health is using a variety of strategies including social...

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Update: New resource for ordering pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia tests

As an addendum to the December 2018 article on “Gonorrhea Rates on the Rise in Ontario: New Testing and Treatment Guidelines”, Ottawa Public Health is pleased to share a new resource for ordering pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) tests.

Testing of pharyngeal and rectal sites for gonorrhea and chlamydia may now be done with nuclear acid amplification test (NAAT) [PDF]. It is recommended for:

• All sexually active individuals who have signs and symptoms at all sites where they...

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PERINATAL CARE UPDATE: Guidance on how and under which circumstances parents may opt-out of ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis

Effective January 1, 2019, there is a process in Ontario for parents to opt-out – under certain conditions – of the mandatory prophylactic eye ointment to prevent transmission of ophthalmia neonatorum. There is no need to report those who opt out of the mandatory prophylaxis to Ottawa Public Health. Ophthalmia neonatorum, however, continues to be a disease that is reportable to Ottawa Public Health and prophylaxis at birth is still considered standard of care in Ontario.

To opt-out, a parent must...

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Sign up for Individualized Primary Care Reports from Health Quality Ontario (HQO)

Health Quality Ontario (HQO) now offers MyPractice reports which show you data about your individual practice and will allow you to use your patients’ electronic medical records to find specific patients in need of attention.

The reports enable you to see your opioid prescribing patterns compared with peers across the province. In addition, you can see how your patients are doing with their cancer screening and diabetes management and learn how they are using other health services, like emergency...

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Epidemiologically-linked clinical cases of hepatitis A in Ottawa

To: Family Physicians, Infectious Diseases Specialists, Emergency Physicians, Emergency DepartmentsFrom: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of HealthSubject: Hepatitis A

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is writing to alert you to two epidemiologically-linked, clinical cases of hepatitis A in the 4 to 5-year-old age group in Ottawa. OPH has offered hepatitis A vaccination to child and adult contacts of these cases; however, additional cases may be possible.

At very young ages, hepatitis A may be...

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