Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

March 18, 2024

From:
Dr. Ethan Toumishey
Medical Officer of Health and CEO
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

  1. Measles updates
  2. Pediacel vaccine update
  3. Diseases of Public Health Significance

News & Updates

Measles: IPAC recommendations; updated Information for Health Care Providers

In Ontario, measles cases have been rare due to high immunization coverage both provincially and across the country. As a result, measles cases are usually associated with travel. Due to an increase in measles activity globally, Ontario has begun to see more cases.

In response to the increase in measles cases in Ontario, and Canada, Public Health Ontario (PHO) has a new technical brief that focuses on interim infection prevention and control (IPAC) recommendations and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for care of individuals with suspect or confirmed measles.

This resource recommends a change in PPE that health care workers should wear, notably the addition of a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator, regardless of their presumptive immune status, while providing care to individuals with suspect or confirmed measles. This document also provides the rationale and evidence to support this change.

PHO has also updated the recently published Measles: Information for Health Care Providers resource to include more detailed information on IPAC best practices.

All the measles resources will be published on their dedicated measles page on the PHO website. For more information please contact ivpd@oahpp.ca.

Transition from Pediacel to Pentacel

Sanofi Vaccines Canada is discontinuing Pediacel and will be transitioning to Pentacel vaccine.

The formulation and manufacturing processes for Pediacel and Pentacel vaccines are nearly identical (except for final presentation) and the products are fully interchangeable

During the transition period, doses of Pediacel vaccine can still be used until the expiration date.

You will begin seeing Pentacel in your orders after April 1, 2024.

**Pentacel requires reconstitution**

The packaging will be changing from: 10 single doses in a vial (old packaging) to 5 single doses of Quadracel vaccine in a vial and 5 single doses of Hib lyophilized vaccine in a vial (new packaging).

Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS), previously known as reportable diseases

Three new tick-borne DOPHS

As of July 1, 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Health announced three new tick-borne DOPHS: Powassan Virus, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites that are transmitted to humans from animals or insects. Diseases transmitted by ticks are responsible for the majority of the vector-borne diseases in Canada.

DOPHS Reporting Form

HPEPH has refreshed the online DOPHS reporting form, and the corresponding PDF form, located on the the health unit website.

What has changed?

The following DOPHS no longer require “immediate” reporting (must be reported within 1 business day):

  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Cyclosporiasis
  • COVID-19
  • Encephalitis, post-infectious, viral
  • Encephalitis, post-infectious, vaccine related
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Legionellosis
  • Listeriosis
  • Meningitis, viral, other
  • Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
  • Tularemia
  • Typhoid Fever
  • West Nile Virus

Rubella has been added to the list of DOPHS that require immediate reporting.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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