In This Issue - June 2024

Updates and Review:

Measles Travel-Related Reminders and Resources
Updated Clinical Recommendations for COVID-19 Antiviral Therapy and Changes to Paxlovid Funding
Rabies Risk and Reporting within Niagara
Food-Borne Illness Reporting
FREE Online Prenatal Education
Update: This Year's Grade 7 Immunization Campaign is Finished
Update from Niagara Health: Introducing Niagara Health's Chief of Primary Care, Jennifer Robert

Measles Travel-Related Reminders and Resources

The Public Health Agency of Canada's Global Measles Notice for all countries remains in place due to increased measles activity worldwide. With people travelling more over the summer months, health care providers should continue to consider measles in their differential diagnoses, particularly in returning travelers with a febrile illness and rash or other symptoms of measles. Prior to travel, ensure patients are up to date with their vaccinations, including measles containing vaccine.

Resources:

Prevention and Management of Suspected Measles Cases - Ontario College of Family Physicians
Information about Measles - Niagara Region Public Health
Measles: Information for Health Care Providers - Public Health Ontario
Measles in Ontario - Public Health Ontario

Updated Clinical Recommendations for COVID-19 Antiviral Therapy and Changes to Paxlovid Funding

Ontario Health recently updated their clinical recommendations for antiviral therapy for adults with mild to moderate COVID-19. The updated guidance takes into account recently circulating strains of COVID-19, as well as pre-existing immunity from prior infection and/or vaccination in Ontario.

Visit Ontario Health's COVID-19 treatment webpage for recommendations, clinical guidance and resources on the use of COVID-19 antiviral therapy.

In addition, funding options for Paxlovid will now include selected government drug benefit programs, private insurance or payment directly by the patient, consistent with typical funding models for other medications. Learn more in Access to Antiviral Therapy for COVID-19 in the Community.

Patients looking for information on COVID-19 testing and treatment can be directed to the Ministry of Health's webpage.

Rabies Risk & Reporting within Niagara

Reporting Animal Bites or Scratches

Health care professionals are required to report animal bites or scratches immediately to Public Health whether the animal is suspected to be rapid or not, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 557 - Communicable Diseases-General.

To report an animal exposure to Public Health:

Step 1: Complete the report online or print the form.

Step 2: Fax the completed form back to Public Health at 905-641-4994.

Step 3: Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 Ext. 7590 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to ensure a risk assessment is completed and documented.

Note: After hours and on weekends, call 905-984-3690 or 1-877-552-5579

Public Health investigates all animal exposures and will follow up with the patient to assess the appropriate response. A Niagara Region Public Health Inspector may also contact healthcare professionals during an exposure investigation.

If the animal can be located: A public health inspector will confine the animal to check for symptoms. Healthy animals will not be removed from their owner.

If the animal cannot be located: A public health inspector may recommend the patient schedule another visit with a healthcare provider to discuss their initial exposure considering the inability to monitor the animal.

Questions regarding rabies risk assessments or follow up

Niagara Region Public Health Inspectors are available to assist with rabies risk assessments, inquiries regarding rabies investigations, or recommended follow up.

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074

After hours and on weekends, call 905-984-3690 or 1-877-552-5579

For more information, visit our rabies webpage.

Food-borne Illness Reporting

According to Public Health Ontario, the five most commonly reported types of bacteria causing food-borne illness are Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli and Yersinia.

The summer months bring an increased risk of food-borne illness as food-borne pathogens multiply faster at warm temperatures. Public Health advises symptomatic clients to contact their health care provider for testing and treatment where necessary. To report suspect or confirmed cases of food-borne illness to Public Health call 905-688-8248 ext. 7330.

Public Health investigates reported incidences of suspect and confirmed gastrointestinal illnesses involving food that is purchased from restaurants, special events and other food premises. If you have a patient presenting with gastrointestinal illness symptoms and you suspect they have a food-borne illness that may be associated with a food premise, please have them call Public Health at 905-688-8248 ext. 7590. Inspection information is available on our website so that people can make informed choices about their food consumption.

Learn more about enteric and food-borne illness.

FREE Online Prenatal Education

Niagara Region Public Health offers free online prenatal classes for expectant parents in Niagara Region. Classes are self-paced and range from topics covering pregnancy and birth to newborn care. Topics include:

During pregnancy

Physical and emotional changes during pregnancy
Fetal development
Medical tests and procedures
Lifestyle and environmental risks
Nutrition
Physical activity

During Labour

Comfort measures, relaxation and breathing techniques for labour
Labour and delivery
Pain relief options and medical interventions, such as epidural, induction of labour, episiotomy and caesarean section

After pregnancy

Newborn care
Breastfeeding
Infant Safety
Postpartum care
Preparation for parenthood

Direct patients to self-register here: Clinics, Classes and Groups for Parents, Caregivers and Children - Niagara Region, Ontario

Antenatal Care Pathway

Niagara Region Public Health has created a resource for health care Providers to direct expectant parents to resources and supports in the community that meet their unique needs. These resources range from pregnancy options counseling, home visiting supports, mental health supports, and more.

Health care providers can access this pathway through the Health Care Professionals order webpage, under the Maternal, Child Health tab.

UPDATE: This Year’s Grade 7 Immunization Campaign is Finished

During the 2023 – 2024 school year, Public Health held school-based vaccination clinics at participating schools for eligible students.

Student Catch Up for Grade 7 Vaccines

Some students in Grades 7 and 8 missed the opportunity to get vaccinated at their school. This month Public Health is sending approximately 2,000 letters to parents and legal guardians whose child remains eligible to receive Grade 7 publicly funded vaccines.

We are encouraging parents to get their kids vaccinated this summer by booking an appointment at a Public Health clinic or with their primary care provider.

Health Care Provider Action

Have appointments available to help students catch up on missed Grade 7 vaccines
Use the School Program Vaccine Order Form to order Grade 7 vaccines
When administering combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine (Twinrix® or Twinrix Jr.®) to children, please remind parents/guardians to report their child’s vaccines directly to Public Health. Order the notification tear-off pads for your office to support the parent or legal guardian in reporting their child’s vaccine to Public Health

Introducing Niagara Health's Chief of Primary Care: Jennifer Robert

My name is Dr. Jennifer Robert and I’m grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself as the first Chief of Primary Care at Niagara Health. I was appointed to this new role on April 1, 2024 after years as a dedicated hospitalist.

As the inaugural Chief of Primary Care, I will serve a dual mandate not only overseeing inpatient care provided by family physicians, but also outpatient engagement with Niagara Primary Care Providers. One of the main focuses of my role will be to bridge the healthcare gaps between the hospital and primary care providers in the community, improving patient care for residents across the region. Strong partnerships between the hospital and primary care providers will lead to better patient experiences while in hospital and increased safety for patients transitioning from the hospital back to home. Over the coming years while we transition to a three-site hospital system, I plan to be actively involved in engaging, collaborating and providing insight to our community healthcare providers to make this a transparent and seamless process for everyone.

I grew up in St. Catharines and care deeply about the health of this community. After completing my Family Medicine Residency at McMaster University’s Niagara Campus I chose to practice here as a way to give back to the community. In 2015, I began working at Niagara Health as a dedicated hospitalist at the Niagara Falls Site and since 2018 have been active staff. I am actively involved in education with medical students and residents and serve as an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster University in the Department of Family Medicine. Most recently I took on a leadership role and served as the Head of Service for the Department of Medicine at the Niagara Falls Site.

Over the last couple of months, I have been working on forging relationships with our community primary care providers and my goal is to continue to expand these partnerships. I am looking forward to making connections with the dedicated and talented family physicians we have in Niagara. I encourage you to reach out to me at jenniferanne.robert@niagarahealth.on.ca if you have insights to share or questions. Together, we can work towards a healthcare system that functions as a unit both inside and outside the hospital to improve health for all Niagara residents.