Distributed by email on February 21, 2017.

In this Issue:

1. Mumps Alert
2. Tubersol Alert

1. Mumps Alert

Increase in Mumps Activity

Six Public Health Units in Ontario have reported 11 cases of mumps so far this year. The cases are occurring primarily among young adults aged 18 to 29 years. Manitoba and 27 states in the US are also reporting an increase in the number of mumps cases so far this year and so caution should be advised for the 18-29 year age group planning travel.

Testing for Mumps

If you suspect mumps, both virus isolation and serological testing is recommended to confirm mumps infection: buccal swab or urine specimen for NAAT testing- may be collected up to 9 days or 14 days from date of symptom onset, respectively, and blood (both acute and convalescent sera) are recommended for the diagnosis of mumps. On the lab requisition mark the symptoms, date of symptom onset, exposure history and vaccination history. Indicate this is for the diagnosis of mumps. More information about the testing and specimen collection can be found at here.

Immunization

Two doses of a mumps containing vaccine (MMR ≥ one year of age, MMRV between the ages of 4-6 years) are recommended in Ontario. Please refer to the Publicly funded immunization schedule for Ontario. Effectiveness of the mumps vaccination after one dose is estimated to be between 62 % and 91 % and between 76 % and 95% after two doses.

If you require further information, please contact the Infectious Diseases program at Middlesex London Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2330.

2. Tubersol Alert

The MOHLTC recently announced interim eligibility criteria which stated that Tubersol (the solution used for the TB skin test) is publicly funded when required by an educational institution for admission or continuation in a day-care or pre-school program, or a program of study in a school, community college, university or other educational institution.

Health Units are not mandated or funded to provide TB skin tests for admission or continuation in educational programs. The Health Unit has been offering this service on a cost recovery basis but with the change in eligibility criteria is no longer able to provide this service. Effective immediately, the Middlesex-London Health Unit will no longer be administering TB skin tests that are required by a community college, university or other educational institution.

Health Care Providers are now able to order publicly funded Tubersol from the Health Unit and bill through OHIP for the administration of the test.

Should any physician wish to have refresher training on TST planting, reading and counselling on LTBI, please contact the Healthcare Provider Outreach team.