Kathleen Lydon-Hassen, L. Jonah, Lisa Mayotte, Ashley Hrabowy, B. Graham, Beverley Missens, A. Nelson, M. Andkhoie, Deana Nahachewsky, D. Yalamanchili, Sabyasachi Gupta, N. Ndubuka, I. Khan, W. Yacoub, M. Bryson, D. Paquette
Background The Public Health Agency of Canada's integrated bio-behavioural surveillance system-Tracks surveys-assesses the burden of HIV, hepatitis C and associated risks in key populations in Canada. From 2018-2020, Tracks surveys were successfully implemented by First Nations Health Services Organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Methods First Nations-led survey teams invited community members who identified as First Nations, Inuit or Métis to participate in Tracks surveys and testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. Information was collected on social determinants of health, use of prevention services, substance use, sexual behaviours and care for HIV and hepatitis C. Descriptive statistics are presented. Results Of the 1,828 survey participants, 97.4% self-identified as First Nations and 91.4% lived in an on-reserve community. Over half (52.2%) were cisgender female, average age was 36.3 years, 82.5% lived in stable housing, 82% had access to primary healthcare and 73.8% reported having good to excellent mental health. Most participants (97%) had a family member who had experienced residential school. High proportions experienced stigma and discrimination (65.6%), financial strain (64.3%) and abuse in childhood (65.1%). Testing for HIV (62.8%) and hepatitis C (55.3%) was relatively high. Prevalence of HIV was 1.6% (of whom 64% knew their infection status). Hepatitis C ribonucleic acid prevalence was 5% (44.9% of whom knew their current infection status). Conclusion Historical and ongoing experiences of trauma, and higher prevalence of hepatitis C were identified, reaffirming evidence of the ongoing legacies of colonialism, Indian Residential Schools and systemic racism. High participation in sexually transmitted blood-borne infection testing and prevention reflect the importance of First Nations-led culturally sensitive, safe and responsive healthcare services and programs to effect improved outcomes for First Nations peoples.
{"title":"Summary findings from Tracks surveys implemented by First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, 2018-2020.","authors":"Kathleen Lydon-Hassen, L. Jonah, Lisa Mayotte, Ashley Hrabowy, B. Graham, Beverley Missens, A. Nelson, M. Andkhoie, Deana Nahachewsky, D. Yalamanchili, Sabyasachi Gupta, N. Ndubuka, I. Khan, W. Yacoub, M. Bryson, D. Paquette","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a05","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000The Public Health Agency of Canada's integrated bio-behavioural surveillance system-Tracks surveys-assesses the burden of HIV, hepatitis C and associated risks in key populations in Canada. From 2018-2020, Tracks surveys were successfully implemented by First Nations Health Services Organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000First Nations-led survey teams invited community members who identified as First Nations, Inuit or Métis to participate in Tracks surveys and testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. Information was collected on social determinants of health, use of prevention services, substance use, sexual behaviours and care for HIV and hepatitis C. Descriptive statistics are presented.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Of the 1,828 survey participants, 97.4% self-identified as First Nations and 91.4% lived in an on-reserve community. Over half (52.2%) were cisgender female, average age was 36.3 years, 82.5% lived in stable housing, 82% had access to primary healthcare and 73.8% reported having good to excellent mental health. Most participants (97%) had a family member who had experienced residential school. High proportions experienced stigma and discrimination (65.6%), financial strain (64.3%) and abuse in childhood (65.1%). Testing for HIV (62.8%) and hepatitis C (55.3%) was relatively high. Prevalence of HIV was 1.6% (of whom 64% knew their infection status). Hepatitis C ribonucleic acid prevalence was 5% (44.9% of whom knew their current infection status).\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Historical and ongoing experiences of trauma, and higher prevalence of hepatitis C were identified, reaffirming evidence of the ongoing legacies of colonialism, Indian Residential Schools and systemic racism. High participation in sexually transmitted blood-borne infection testing and prevention reflect the importance of First Nations-led culturally sensitive, safe and responsive healthcare services and programs to effect improved outcomes for First Nations peoples.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"24 1","pages":"146-156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78600472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sabrina Wong, Shanika Rajapakshe, D. Barber, A. Patey, W. Levinson, R. Morkem, Gillian Hurwitz, Kimberly Wintermute, J. Leis
Background Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is the leading reason for avoidable antimicrobial use in primary care, yet provider-level feedback on its use is only available in some provinces. The aim of this study was to validate case definitions for RTI across the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) and determine baseline provider-level variability in antimicrobial prescribing in 2019. Methods The RTI case definitions were developed using demographic, diagnostic coding and keywords in electronic medical record. Manual chart abstraction was performed to identify cases of acute otitis media. Remaining RTI definitions were validated using a random sample of 5,164 patients with encounters in 2019. The proportion of patients with an RTI treated with antibiotics was determined by provider, per patient, per episode and per patient encounter. Results Negative predictive value, positive predictive value and prevalence were as follows: 1.00 (0.99-1.00), 0.99 (0.96-0.99) and 4.14% (4.10-4.19) for common cold; 1.00 (0.99-1.00), 0.94 (0.88-0.98) and 1.09% (1.07-1.12) for acute otitis media; 0.98 (0.96-1.00), 0.93 (0.87-0.97) and 1.2% (1.18-1.22) for acute pharyngitis; 0.99 (0.99-1.00), 0.88 (0.81-0.93) and 1.99% (1.96-2.02) for sinusitis; 0.99 (0.97-0.99), 0.95 (0.89-0.98) and 4.01% (3.97-4.05) for acute bronchitis/asthma. By provider, median (interquartile range [IQR]) proportion treated with antibiotics (per patient) was 6.72 (14.92) for common cold, 64.29 (40.00) for acute otitis media, 20.00 (38.89) for pharyngitis, 54.17 (38.09) for sinusitis, 8.33 (20.00) for acute bronchitis/asthma and 21.10 (20.56) for overall RTI. Conclusion The CPCSSN can provide national surveillance of antimicrobial prescribing practices for RTI across primary care. Baseline variability underscores the need for provider feedback and quality improvement.
{"title":"Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infection across a national primary care network in 2019.","authors":"Sabrina Wong, Shanika Rajapakshe, D. Barber, A. Patey, W. Levinson, R. Morkem, Gillian Hurwitz, Kimberly Wintermute, J. Leis","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a06","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is the leading reason for avoidable antimicrobial use in primary care, yet provider-level feedback on its use is only available in some provinces. The aim of this study was to validate case definitions for RTI across the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) and determine baseline provider-level variability in antimicrobial prescribing in 2019.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000The RTI case definitions were developed using demographic, diagnostic coding and keywords in electronic medical record. Manual chart abstraction was performed to identify cases of acute otitis media. Remaining RTI definitions were validated using a random sample of 5,164 patients with encounters in 2019. The proportion of patients with an RTI treated with antibiotics was determined by provider, per patient, per episode and per patient encounter.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Negative predictive value, positive predictive value and prevalence were as follows: 1.00 (0.99-1.00), 0.99 (0.96-0.99) and 4.14% (4.10-4.19) for common cold; 1.00 (0.99-1.00), 0.94 (0.88-0.98) and 1.09% (1.07-1.12) for acute otitis media; 0.98 (0.96-1.00), 0.93 (0.87-0.97) and 1.2% (1.18-1.22) for acute pharyngitis; 0.99 (0.99-1.00), 0.88 (0.81-0.93) and 1.99% (1.96-2.02) for sinusitis; 0.99 (0.97-0.99), 0.95 (0.89-0.98) and 4.01% (3.97-4.05) for acute bronchitis/asthma. By provider, median (interquartile range [IQR]) proportion treated with antibiotics (per patient) was 6.72 (14.92) for common cold, 64.29 (40.00) for acute otitis media, 20.00 (38.89) for pharyngitis, 54.17 (38.09) for sinusitis, 8.33 (20.00) for acute bronchitis/asthma and 21.10 (20.56) for overall RTI.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000The CPCSSN can provide national surveillance of antimicrobial prescribing practices for RTI across primary care. Baseline variability underscores the need for provider feedback and quality improvement.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"45 1","pages":"157-163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80691649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background The incidence of syphilis among Canadian women of childbearing age has risen dramatically in the past decade, with a resurgence of infants born with congenital syphilis. While guidelines exist to guide maternal infection during pregnancy, there is little evidence available to guide management in situations where the developing fetus is found to be severely affected. Case review Our patient presented in the second trimester of her pregnancy as syphilis contact. Positive serologic tests (venereal disease research laboratory titre of 1:64) and a chancre suggested primary infection. Ultrasound demonstrated a fetus at 19+3 weeks gestation with hydrops fetalis and a markedly abnormal brain. Amniocentesis confirmed congenital syphilis infection on polymerase chain reaction testing. After nine days of intravenous penicillin G, the fetal status had worsened, and the family ultimately chose a medical termination of the pregnancy. Discussion Evolving ultrasound technology has allowed us to identify severely affected fetuses, who may historically have been delivered stillborn. Following routine syphiliotherapy with benzathine penicillin, these abnormal ultrasound features may take weeks or months to reverse, which poses a challenge in prognostication and counselling. Case reports data suggests intensive treatment with intravenous penicillin may be effective in severe cases where fetal hydrops is present. Conclusion This case highlights the potential morbidity of fetal syphilis infection and underscores the paucity of current literature. Information sharing will be essential to build a modern knowledge base on treating this ancient disease.
{"title":"Exploring management of antenatally diagnosed fetal syphilis infection.","authors":"M. Rosenthal, V. Poliquin","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a09","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a09","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000The incidence of syphilis among Canadian women of childbearing age has risen dramatically in the past decade, with a resurgence of infants born with congenital syphilis. While guidelines exist to guide maternal infection during pregnancy, there is little evidence available to guide management in situations where the developing fetus is found to be severely affected.\u0000\u0000\u0000Case review\u0000Our patient presented in the second trimester of her pregnancy as syphilis contact. Positive serologic tests (venereal disease research laboratory titre of 1:64) and a chancre suggested primary infection. Ultrasound demonstrated a fetus at 19+3 weeks gestation with hydrops fetalis and a markedly abnormal brain. Amniocentesis confirmed congenital syphilis infection on polymerase chain reaction testing. After nine days of intravenous penicillin G, the fetal status had worsened, and the family ultimately chose a medical termination of the pregnancy.\u0000\u0000\u0000Discussion\u0000Evolving ultrasound technology has allowed us to identify severely affected fetuses, who may historically have been delivered stillborn. Following routine syphiliotherapy with benzathine penicillin, these abnormal ultrasound features may take weeks or months to reverse, which poses a challenge in prognostication and counselling. Case reports data suggests intensive treatment with intravenous penicillin may be effective in severe cases where fetal hydrops is present.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000This case highlights the potential morbidity of fetal syphilis infection and underscores the paucity of current literature. Information sharing will be essential to build a modern knowledge base on treating this ancient disease.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"13 1","pages":"111-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81603821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Syphilis is an infection caused by Treponema pallidum spirochetes. The diagnosis of this sexually transmitted disease may be missed, partly due to the painless nature of genital ulcers in its primary stage. Women in Canada are screened for syphilis in their first trimester of pregnancy, but late pregnancy testing is not done in all provinces to date; therefore, undetected vertical transmission of syphilis may occur. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing congenital syphilis in infants and young children with unexplained growth problems and biochemical and hematological abnormalities. Congenital syphilis remains a rare diagnosis, but in the context of increased syphilis rates in Canada during recent years, clinicians should consider this diagnosis in infants presenting with compatible clinical manifestations.
{"title":"Delayed diagnosis of maternal and congenital syphilis: An unrecognized epidemic?","authors":"Zachary Dionisopoulos, F. Kakkar, A. Blanchard","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a10","url":null,"abstract":"Syphilis is an infection caused by Treponema pallidum spirochetes. The diagnosis of this sexually transmitted disease may be missed, partly due to the painless nature of genital ulcers in its primary stage. Women in Canada are screened for syphilis in their first trimester of pregnancy, but late pregnancy testing is not done in all provinces to date; therefore, undetected vertical transmission of syphilis may occur. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing congenital syphilis in infants and young children with unexplained growth problems and biochemical and hematological abnormalities. Congenital syphilis remains a rare diagnosis, but in the context of increased syphilis rates in Canada during recent years, clinicians should consider this diagnosis in infants presenting with compatible clinical manifestations.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"221 1","pages":"115-118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79889900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Courtney Smith, Allison Griffiths, Sandra Allison, D. Hoyano, L. Hoang
Background In April 2021, a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) O103 outbreak was identified among patients at two hospitals in Victoria, British Columbia (BC). The objective of this study is to describe this outbreak investigation and identify issues of food safety for high-risk products prepared for vulnerable populations. Methods Confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were reported to the Island Health communicable disease unit. The provincial public health laboratory conducted whole genome sequencing on confirmed case isolates, as per routine practice for STEC in BC. Exposure information was obtained through case interviews and review of hospital menus. Federal and local public health authorities conducted an inspection of the processing plant for the suspect source. Results Six confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were identified, all related by whole genome sequencing. The majority of cases were female (67%) and the median age was 61 years (range 24-87 years). All confirmed cases were inpatients or outpatients at two hospitals and were exposed to raw minced celery within prepared sandwiches provided by hospital food services. A local processor supplied the minced celery exclusively to the two hospitals. Testing of product at the processor was infrequent, and chlorine rinse occurred before mincing. The spread of residual E. coli contamination through the mincing process, in addition to temperature abuse at the hospitals, are thought to have contributed to this outbreak. Conclusion Raw vegetables, such as celery, are a potential source of STEC and present a risk to vulnerable populations. Recommendations from this outbreak include more frequent testing at the processor, a review of the chlorination and mincing process and a review of hospital food services practices to mitigate temperature abuse.
{"title":"Escherichia coli O103 outbreak associated with minced celery among hospitalized individuals in Victoria, British Columbia, 2021.","authors":"Courtney Smith, Allison Griffiths, Sandra Allison, D. Hoyano, L. Hoang","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a07","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000In April 2021, a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) O103 outbreak was identified among patients at two hospitals in Victoria, British Columbia (BC). The objective of this study is to describe this outbreak investigation and identify issues of food safety for high-risk products prepared for vulnerable populations.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000Confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were reported to the Island Health communicable disease unit. The provincial public health laboratory conducted whole genome sequencing on confirmed case isolates, as per routine practice for STEC in BC. Exposure information was obtained through case interviews and review of hospital menus. Federal and local public health authorities conducted an inspection of the processing plant for the suspect source.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Six confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were identified, all related by whole genome sequencing. The majority of cases were female (67%) and the median age was 61 years (range 24-87 years). All confirmed cases were inpatients or outpatients at two hospitals and were exposed to raw minced celery within prepared sandwiches provided by hospital food services. A local processor supplied the minced celery exclusively to the two hospitals. Testing of product at the processor was infrequent, and chlorine rinse occurred before mincing. The spread of residual E. coli contamination through the mincing process, in addition to temperature abuse at the hospitals, are thought to have contributed to this outbreak.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Raw vegetables, such as celery, are a potential source of STEC and present a risk to vulnerable populations. Recommendations from this outbreak include more frequent testing at the processor, a review of the chlorination and mincing process and a review of hospital food services practices to mitigate temperature abuse.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"25 1","pages":"46-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79664196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cher Ghafari, M. Benusic, N. Prystajecky, H. Sbihi, Kimia Kamelian, L. Hoang
Background The Kappa variant is designated as a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of interest (VOI). We identified 195 Kappa variant cases in a region of British Columbia, Canada-the largest published cluster in North America. Objectives To describe the epidemiology of the Kappa variant in relation to other circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in the region to determine if the epidemiology of the Kappa variant supports a VOI or VOC status. Methods Clinical specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 collected between March 10 and May 2, 2021, were screened for the detection of known circulating VOCs; approximately 50% of specimens were subsequently selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS). Epidemiological analysis was performed comparing the characteristics of Kappa cases to the main circulating variants in the region (Alpha and Gamma) and to non-VOC/VOI cases. Results A total of 2,079 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported in the region during the study period, of which 54% were selected for WGS. The 1,131 sequenced cases were categorized into Kappa, Alpha, Gamma and non-VOC/VOI. While Alpha and Gamma cases were found to have a significantly higher attack rate among household contacts compared to non-VOI/VOC cases, Kappa was not. Conclusion Epidemiological analysis supports the designation of Kappa as a VOI and not a VOC. The Alpha and Gamma variants were found to be more transmissible, explaining their subsequent dominance in the region and the rapid disappearance of the Kappa variant. Variant surveillance strategies should focus on both detection of established VOCs and detection of potential new VOCs.
{"title":"Epidemiological analysis of the emergence and disappearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Kappa variant within a region of British Columbia, Canada.","authors":"Cher Ghafari, M. Benusic, N. Prystajecky, H. Sbihi, Kimia Kamelian, L. Hoang","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a04","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000The Kappa variant is designated as a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of interest (VOI). We identified 195 Kappa variant cases in a region of British Columbia, Canada-the largest published cluster in North America.\u0000\u0000\u0000Objectives\u0000To describe the epidemiology of the Kappa variant in relation to other circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in the region to determine if the epidemiology of the Kappa variant supports a VOI or VOC status.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000Clinical specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 collected between March 10 and May 2, 2021, were screened for the detection of known circulating VOCs; approximately 50% of specimens were subsequently selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS). Epidemiological analysis was performed comparing the characteristics of Kappa cases to the main circulating variants in the region (Alpha and Gamma) and to non-VOC/VOI cases.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000A total of 2,079 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported in the region during the study period, of which 54% were selected for WGS. The 1,131 sequenced cases were categorized into Kappa, Alpha, Gamma and non-VOC/VOI. While Alpha and Gamma cases were found to have a significantly higher attack rate among household contacts compared to non-VOI/VOC cases, Kappa was not.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Epidemiological analysis supports the designation of Kappa as a VOI and not a VOC. The Alpha and Gamma variants were found to be more transmissible, explaining their subsequent dominance in the region and the rapid disappearance of the Kappa variant. Variant surveillance strategies should focus on both detection of established VOCs and detection of potential new VOCs.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"2013 1","pages":"22-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86488944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Yukon's experience with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an interesting one; the territory successfully implemented travel restrictions to limit importing the virus and rolled out vaccines quickly compared to most Canadian jurisdictions. However, the Yukon's first wave of COVID-19 in June and July 2021 overwhelmed the healthcare system due to widespread transmission in unvaccinated children, youth and adults, despite high vaccination uptake overall and mandatory masking. This experience highlights the importance of continued support for public vaccination programs, widespread vaccine uptake in paediatric populations, and the judicious relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions in all Canadian jurisdictions as they reopen while more contagious variants emerge.
{"title":"The Yukon's experience with COVID-19: Travel restrictions, variants and spread among the unvaccinated.","authors":"Sara McPhee-Knowles, Brynn Hoffman, L. Kanary","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a03","url":null,"abstract":"The Yukon's experience with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an interesting one; the territory successfully implemented travel restrictions to limit importing the virus and rolled out vaccines quickly compared to most Canadian jurisdictions. However, the Yukon's first wave of COVID-19 in June and July 2021 overwhelmed the healthcare system due to widespread transmission in unvaccinated children, youth and adults, despite high vaccination uptake overall and mandatory masking. This experience highlights the importance of continued support for public vaccination programs, widespread vaccine uptake in paediatric populations, and the judicious relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions in all Canadian jurisdictions as they reopen while more contagious variants emerge.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"189 1","pages":"17-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79485664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Virginie Boulanger, E. Poirier, Anne MacLaurin, C. Quach
Background Although Canada has both a national active surveillance system and administrative data for the passive surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), both have identified strengths and weaknesses in their data collection and reporting. Active and passive surveillance work independently, resulting in results that diverge at times. To understand the divergences between administrative health data and active surveillance data, a scoping review was performed. Method Medline, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature along with grey literature were searched for studies in English and French that evaluated the use of administrative data, alone or in comparison with traditional surveillance, in Canada between 1995 and November 2, 2020. After extracting relevant information from selected articles, a descriptive summary of findings was provided with suggestions for the improvement of surveillance systems to optimize the overall data quality. Results Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, including twelve observational studies and four systematic reviews. Studies showed that using a single source of administrative data was not accurate for HAI surveillance when compared with traditional active surveillance; however, combining different sources of data or combining administrative with active surveillance data improved accuracy. Electronic surveillance systems can also enhance surveillance by improving the ability to detect potential HAIs. Conclusion Although active surveillance of HAIs produced the most accurate results and remains the gold-standard, the integration between active and passive surveillance data can be optimized. Administrative data can be used to enhance traditional active surveillance. Future studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of potential solutions presented for the use of administrative data for HAI surveillance and reporting in Canada.
{"title":"Divergences between healthcare-associated infection administrative data and active surveillance data in Canada.","authors":"Virginie Boulanger, E. Poirier, Anne MacLaurin, C. Quach","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a02","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000Although Canada has both a national active surveillance system and administrative data for the passive surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), both have identified strengths and weaknesses in their data collection and reporting. Active and passive surveillance work independently, resulting in results that diverge at times. To understand the divergences between administrative health data and active surveillance data, a scoping review was performed.\u0000\u0000\u0000Method\u0000Medline, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature along with grey literature were searched for studies in English and French that evaluated the use of administrative data, alone or in comparison with traditional surveillance, in Canada between 1995 and November 2, 2020. After extracting relevant information from selected articles, a descriptive summary of findings was provided with suggestions for the improvement of surveillance systems to optimize the overall data quality.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, including twelve observational studies and four systematic reviews. Studies showed that using a single source of administrative data was not accurate for HAI surveillance when compared with traditional active surveillance; however, combining different sources of data or combining administrative with active surveillance data improved accuracy. Electronic surveillance systems can also enhance surveillance by improving the ability to detect potential HAIs.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Although active surveillance of HAIs produced the most accurate results and remains the gold-standard, the integration between active and passive surveillance data can be optimized. Administrative data can be used to enhance traditional active surveillance. Future studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of potential solutions presented for the use of administrative data for HAI surveillance and reporting in Canada.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"122 3 1","pages":"4-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90253202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network Statement on Point-of-Care Serology Testing in COVID-19.","authors":"Group Respiratory Virus Infections Working","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a01","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"10 1","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83509758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Meghan Laverty, M. Salvadori, S. Squires, M. Ahmed, Lisa Eisenbeis, Santina J Lee, Annick Des Cormiers, Y. A. Li
This article provides a summary of the epidemiology of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) cases reported nationally in Canada by provincial and territorial health authorities. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a post-viral inflammatory syndrome that temporally follows coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash and other signs of inflammation. In Canada, MIS-C is rare, with 269 cases reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada between March 11, 2020 and October 2, 2021. One hundred forty-two (53%) of these cases were lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases or epidemiologically-linked with COVID-19 cases. Cases have been reported in infants as young as one week to youth as old as 18 years, with a median age of six years. Cases were more likely to occur in males than females (58% vs 42%, respectively; p=0.006). Almost all MIS-C cases (99%) required hospitalization and 36% required intensive care unit admission. No deaths have been reported to date. The time trend of MIS-C aligns with the incidence rate time trend of COVID-19 reported in children, with a two to six-week lag.
{"title":"Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in Canada.","authors":"Meghan Laverty, M. Salvadori, S. Squires, M. Ahmed, Lisa Eisenbeis, Santina J Lee, Annick Des Cormiers, Y. A. Li","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v47i11a03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v47i11a03","url":null,"abstract":"This article provides a summary of the epidemiology of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) cases reported nationally in Canada by provincial and territorial health authorities. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a post-viral inflammatory syndrome that temporally follows coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash and other signs of inflammation. In Canada, MIS-C is rare, with 269 cases reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada between March 11, 2020 and October 2, 2021. One hundred forty-two (53%) of these cases were lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases or epidemiologically-linked with COVID-19 cases. Cases have been reported in infants as young as one week to youth as old as 18 years, with a median age of six years. Cases were more likely to occur in males than females (58% vs 42%, respectively; p=0.006). Almost all MIS-C cases (99%) required hospitalization and 36% required intensive care unit admission. No deaths have been reported to date. The time trend of MIS-C aligns with the incidence rate time trend of COVID-19 reported in children, with a two to six-week lag.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"17 1","pages":"461-465"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90016836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}