National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health |

July 2023

Avian influenza A(H5N1) and the continuing outbreak

This evidence brief provides an update of the current avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreak, which started in late 2021. While the situation in Canada has improved and the risk in humans remain low, the outbreak continues to persist globally with unprecedented spread among a wide range of birds, wild mammals, and domestic pets. This suggests the need for continued vigilance and a review of how EPH practice can contribute to a One Health approach in managing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners: Evidence on effectiveness and considerations for safe operation

Ticks in a changing climate: Resources for Environmental Public Health Professionals

This updated subject guide is intended to assist Environmental Public Health Professionals understand and address the changing risk of tick-borne disease transmission in Canada. Resources related to the monitoring and surveillance of tick vectors and their range are highlighted, as are strategies that can be adopted at the individual and community-level to prevent tick bites.

Cyanobacteria in freshwater

Blooms of cyanobacteria in freshwaters in Canada typically occur during the summer and early fall (May-Oct). This updated subject guide on cyanobacteria is timely and contains resources covering health effects from exposure, as well as approaches to monitoring, managing, and preventing exposure to blooms.

Upcoming Webinars

Project, prepare, and protect: Using climate data and tools to understand future extreme heat

Aug 16, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT

Gregory Richardson, Ellen Pond, Elaine Barrow, Craig Brown

Research scan

July 2023 environmental health research scan

This monthly Research Scan highlights recent environmental health publications by topic and provides easy access to article abstracts and report summaries to support public health professionals, researchers, planners, students, and others working in public health.

Announcements

Survey: Modernizing Public Health Communication Competencies in Canada

Do you work in public health in Canada? Participate in a survey about communication competencies for public health to give input on self-reported communication competence and the necessary communication competencies for effective public health practice. The information gathered may be used to inform the renewal of the PHAC Core Competencies. The English and French surveys are open until July 28, 2023 (extended).

This research is being conducted by Drs. Jennifer McWhirter, Melissa MacKay, Lauren Grant, Andrew Papadopoulos, and Devon McAlpine from the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph (REB 23-04-004) and is funded by CIHR (FRN 184647). Please direct inquires to Dr. Jennifer McWhirter at j.mcwhirter@uoguelph.ca.
 

The CIPHI National Annual Education Conference Planning Committee has extended the early bird registration deadline date to July 31, 2023

Stay tuned for information on the keynote speakers and the general program that will be shared in the coming days. For more information and to register, click here.



Funding Opportunity: NRCan Climate Change Adaptation Program

NRCan is pleased to announce a Call for Proposals under Natural Resource Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program. The Program, which is in support of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, will fund the development of tools and resources on topics such as adaptation skills, economics, natural resource sectors and emerging adaptation issues. 

The deadline to submit an application is September 22, 2023 at midnight EDT.

 

Glossary on climate change and public health

Public Health Agency of Canada’s Science in French Initiative (SFI) team, in partnership with the Translation Bureau, has produced a Glossary on climate change and public health. This tool, available to all on the Language Portal of Canada, contains approximately 400 concepts with their French and English designations, definitions, explanatory notes, synonyms and examples of use that will be useful in your work.

Webinar Recording

The role of environmental public health professionals in collaborative foodborne illness outbreak investigations

External events

July 21
Understanding Particulate Hazards Indoors and Out

July 25
Wildfire Impacts on Drinking Water

July 26
Plan Canada Webinar Series: Food - Where Are Our Priorities and How Do We Provide?

July 26
Field Epi Response to the Climate and Health Crisis - Maternal & Child Health

July 27
Enhanced Ventilation and Cleaner Air in Buildings

Aug 2
Health Benefits vs. Disbenefits from Indoor Air Cleaners

Aug 24
Ion Exchange Membranes and Fibers as Passive Samplers for Chemically-Diverse PFAS

Please note that not all information is available in both official languages as the source of the information may not be subject to the Official Languages Act.

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