Distributed by e-mail on September 2, 2016
In this update:
- MERS-CoV and the Hajj
- Zika
1. MERS-CoV and the Hajj, September 2016
With the annual Hajj pilgrimage beginning next week, healthcare providers treating patients who will be travelling or have travelled to the Middle East are reminded to be vigilant to protect themselves and their patients from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV).
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) issued communications to health systems partners this week regarding the 2016 Hajj. This takes place from 9-14 September in Saudi Arabia. MOHLTC has information on MERS-CoV on the Ministry’s website for health care providers and agencies: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a Travel Health Notice about the 2016 Hajj. This provides information that may be useful for people who are travelling to Saudi Arabia. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/166
2. Zika
Zika virus continues to cause illness in people living and travelling in the Caribbean and their sexual contacts. Several cases have been identified in Ontario, all related directly or indirectly to travel. As the vector mosquito is not found in Ontario, it is not expected that cases will be acquired here except through sexual contact with an infected traveller.
The latest World Health Organization (WHO) Situation report is available here: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/249597/1/zikasitrep1Sept16-eng.pdf?ua=1
Ontario-specific testing information for Zika is available on Public Health Ontario’s secure website: https://secure.publichealthontario.ca/en/ServicesAndTools/LaboratoryServices/Pages/Zika-Virus.aspx