Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

Nov. 15, 2024

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

In this Issue:

  1. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  2. Influenza vaccine

News & Updates

Mycoplasma pneumoniae increase

Public Health Ontario has communicated a marked increase in Mycoplasma pneumoniae activity this year based on preliminary lab data.

  • Activity began in May/June with rapid increases in July/August. Activity has remained high since August. M. pneumoniae tends to occur in late summer and early fall with cyclical increases every three to seven years.
  • Activity is highest in those aged 10 to 19 years, then five to nine years, followed by one to four years (historically there is very low activity in children under four years of age).
  • M. pneumoniae is not reportable (there is no provincial or national surveillance).

Health-care providers:

  • Be aware of increasing activity in Ontario, including in young and school-aged children.
  • Consider infection and treatment with macrolides (e.g. azithromycin) among patients with community-acquired pneumonia who aren't clinically improving on antibiotics that are known to be ineffective against M. pneumoniae, such as beta-lactams (e.g. amoxicillin).
  • Be aware of how to test for M. pneumoniae, using PHO’s testing kit or their local/institutional laboratory practice.
  • As PHO has identified macrolide resistance in a subset of samples, consider using a second-line antibiotic regimen (e.g. doxycycline) to treat patients with suspected or confirmed M. pneumoniae infection who aren't improving on macrolides.

Publicly funded influenza vaccine remains available to order​​​​​​​

Publicly funded influenza vaccine remains available to order. and the general population is now eligible to receive influenza vaccination.

  • Fluzone® High-Dose QIV and Fluad: Available in limited quantities for those 65 years and older.
  • DO NOT DELAY VACCINATION TO WAIT FOR PARTICULAR PRODUCT.
  • Use this year’s Influenza Vaccine Order Form. Do NOT use HPEPH’s routine Vaccine/STI Medication Order Form. 
  • All orders must be faxed to 613-966-8145, along with four weeks of fridge temperature logs.

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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