In This Issue - February 2023

UPDATE:
- Measles Preparedness
- Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health
- Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
- Smartstart Hub Services
REVIEW:
- World TB Day 2023 – “YES! We Can End TB”
- Respiratory Surveillance
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
- FREE TRAINING: Clinician-Patient Communication to Enhance Health Outcomes

UPDATE: Measles Preparedness

On Feb. 8, 2023, the Pan-American Health Organization issued a statement regarding the increasing risk of measles as vaccine coverage for both first and second doses has dropped globally, including in Canada.

With reduced border measures and increased travel anticipated over March break, it is strongly recommended that health care providers

Include measles in their differential diagnoses, particularly in returning travellers with respiratory symptoms. Suspected measles cases should be placed under airborne precautions and tested.
Support patients in remaining up to date with all routine vaccinations, especially in advance of upcoming travel and inform patients to report vaccines received to Public Health (only for patients 0-17 years of age)
Ensure all staff are up to date with either two doses of documented measles vaccination OR documented laboratory evidence of immunity. This includes for individuals born prior to 1970, as per the OHA/OMA Measles Communicable Diseases Protocol.
Ensure your office has enough supply of MMR-containing vaccine

To report suspected or confirmed cases of measles to Public Health call

905-688-8248 ext. 7330
Toll free: 1-888-505-6074
Emergency after-hours: 905-984-3690

UPDATE: Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has launched Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol on Health, replacing Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (2011). This guidance helps individuals make informed choices about their health and alcohol consumption.

Key messages to share with patients

Drinking less alcohol means less risk of harm
Consuming alcohol increases the risk of seven types of cancer, most types of cardiovascular diseases, liver disease and violence
Consider reducing alcohol use
When pregnant or trying to get pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol use
When breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest

Risk of harm from alcohol is:

Low for individuals who consume 2 standard drinks or fewer per week;
Moderate for those who consume between 3 and 6 standard drinks per week; and
Increasingly high for those who consume 7 standard drinks or more per week.

UPDATE: Vaccine Preventable Disease Program

School Vaccination Clinics

The VPD program is offering school-based vaccination clinics in participating secondary and elementary schools for students who missed routine vaccines. Due to increased volume, VPD staff may not be able to vaccinate all students at their school vaccination clinic.

To help students catch-up on missed vaccines, please

Have appointments available and remind parents to bring the notice and the Public Health provided copy of the immunization record to the appointment
Check immunization status when you are seeing a student for any reason and offer vaccine if needed
Ensure your practice has enough vaccine supply to manage the increased demand

Thank you for your continued support.

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Recommendations for Practices Closed for Over Two Weeks

If your office will be closed for two weeks or longer, ensure vaccine safety and decrease vaccine wastage by:

1. Calling the VPD program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396 to make arrangements to store your vaccine during the office closure

OR

2. Assigning a staff member to check-in (2-3 times per week) during the closure, review/record temperatures and check for any vaccine fridge or thermometer issues. This allows for the implementation of any troubleshooting measures if needed.

More Information

UPDATE: SmartStart Hub Services

Niagara Children’s Centre is working closely with Niagara Region Public Health, Contact Niagara and other community partners to support a coordinated approach to accessing child development services in Niagara. SmartStart Hub services are now offered through 21 existing Children’s Treatment Centres, including Niagara Children’s Centre.

Families will experience

Strength-based intake, using standardized provincial tools
Determination of Speech-Language, Occupational and Physiotherapy and other child/family service and support needs
Immediate access to Family Education and Support resources
Direct referrals to additional community services and supports

Eligibility

Any developmental concerns
Birth to 18 years of age (21 years, if attending school)

Referrals

Health care professionals can make a referral using the SmartStart Hub referral form or the NEW online referral portal

REVIEW: World TB Day 2023 – “YES! We Can End TB”

Each year, the World Health Organization recognizes World TB Day on March 24. World TB Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on the challenge of defeating the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic at a global, national and community level.

In 2022, Niagara had 11 reported cases of active TB and 212 cases of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). As a reminder, both active TB and LTBI are reportable to Public Health.

To report suspected or confirmed active TB cases:

Call Niagara Region Public Health Infectious Disease Program 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 within one working day

To report a tuberculin skin test:

Print / fax the completed Tuberculin Skin Test reporting form to 905-682-6470 or
Fill out the online Tuberculin Skin Test reporting form

REVIEW: Respiratory Surveillance

Surveillance Update: Influenza activity is low

Public Health Ontario’s most recent respiratory laboratory surveillance data indicates activity for both influenza A and influenza B is low
Provincially, Enterovirus/Rhinovirus is the most commonly circulating virus
In Niagara, there are 978 cases of influenza so far this season; 19,419 across Ontario

2022-2023 Respiratory Season

Data source: Public Health Ontario’s Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin, data as of February 11, 2023. Please note: Coronavirus refers to non-pandemic human coronaviruses, not the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Niagara reports flu activity surveillance information weekly on Fridays. For more detail on the 2022 to 2023 respiratory season, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin.

Free Training: Clinician-Patient Communication to Enhance Health Outcomes

When: March 1, 2023, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: Virtual (Zoom)

Effective clinician-patient communication underlies successful medical care. Research has demonstrated that using more effective communication skills results in

Improved diagnostic accuracy
Increased patient involvement in decision-making
Increased likelihood of adherence to therapeutic regimens
Increased patient and clinician satisfaction
Reduced likelihood of exposure to malpractice litigation

The objectives of the program are to

Improve awareness of a clinician’s roles regarding the importance of communication as an essential aspect of healthcare and
Understand that complete clinical care consists not just of “find it and fix it” but of four communication skills: Engage, Empathize, Educate, and Enlist

For more information and to register click here. Registration closes February 24.