• In Québec, like elsewhere in the world, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonoses), which account for about 60% of diseases communicable to humans, are currently emerging. The complex dynamics of zoonoses can be affected by climate change. In response to this complexity, the Observatoire initiated a zoonosis prioritization approach in 2015 in the context of climate change. This approach allowed it to develop a portrait of zoonoses that will serve as the basis for documenting their evolving situations in Québec, in an effort to anticipate potential issues of concern. Documenting the zoonoses also allowed it to better identify the challenges and knowledge gaps specific to the prioritized zoonoses, thereby serving as a tool to direct and optimize zoonosis research, surveillance, prevention and control activities. Twelve zoonoses were prioritized: food-borne botulism in Nunavik, campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, eastern equine encephalitis, verotoxige…

In 2016, 174 cases of Lyme disease were reported to public health authorities, including 124 cases that were acquired in Québec.

The Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec received 2 158 Ixodes scapularis ticks from Québec, primarily from the regions of Estrie, Mauricie et Centre-du-Québec, Montréal, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Montérégie and the Capitale-Nationale. More than 17% of these ticks were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi.

Active surveillance carried out in 2016 made it possible to collect 1 036 Ixodes scapularis ticks of which 82 were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi: they were spread over 22 sites mostly located in Montérégie. Active surveillance identified four new endemic municipalities for Lyme disease in Estrie, Mauricie et Centre-du-Québec, Outaouais and Montérégie.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016 to March 31^st, 2017, 89 healthcare facilities participated in the surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections, for a combined total of 4,835,605 patient days (Table 1). Together, these facilities reported 66 cases of healthcare-associated MRSA bloodstream infections (HA-MRSA-BSI) acquired during a current or previous hospitalization (categories 1a and 1b). The HA-MRSA-BSI incidence rate was 0.14 per 10,000 patient days. While this incidence rate has been declining for the past five years, this year was comparable to the last one. The proportion of methicillin resistance in healthcare-associated S. aur…

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Infections
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016 to March 31^st, 2017, 89 healthcare facilities took part in the surveillance of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections, for a combined total of 4,827,659 patient days (Table 1). These facilities reported 44 healthcare-associated VRE (HA-VRE) infections, either acquired during a current or previous hospitalization (categories 1a and 1b). The HA-VRE infection rate was 0.09 per 10,000 patient days. This incidence rate was down from 2015-2016. The acquisition rate of HA-VRE colonization (cat. 1a and 1b) in 2016-2017 was 7.43 per 10,000 patient days and was lower compared to 2015-2016. For all results, analyses include facilities that participated for a minimum of 11 periods. Data were extracted on June 1^s…

Carbapenemase-Producing Gram Negative Bacilli Infections
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016, to March 31^st, 2017, 82 healthcare facilities took part in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing Gram negative bacilli (CPGNB) infections, for a total of 4,448,999 patient days (Table 1). These facilities reported 17 healthcare-associated CPGNB (HA-CPGNB) infections among patients who acquired their strain during a current or previous hospitalization (categories 1a and 1b). The incidence rate of HA-CPGNB infection was 0.04 per 10,000 patient days. The acquisition rate of HA-CPGNB colonization was 0.57 per 10,000 patient days. Eight infections were observed among healthcare facilities that joined the surveillance this year. Two teaching and one non-teaching facilities discontinued their participation this y…

Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016 to March 31^st, 2017, 95 healthcare facilities participated in the Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) surveillance program, for a combined total of 5,022,104 patient days (Table 1). These participating facilities reported 2,330 healthcare-associated CDAD (HA-CDAD), either acquired during a current or previous hospitalization (categories 1a and 1b). The HA-CDAD incidence rate was 4.64 cases per 10,000 patient days. This incidence rate has declined for a third consecutive year and this decline was statistically and significantly lower than the 2015–2016 rate. The 10-day fatality rate was 6.3% (n = 130) while the 30-day fatality rate was 12.4% (n…

Hospital-Wide Healthcare-associated Bloodstream Infections
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016, to March 31^st, 2017, 89 healthcare facilities took part in the hospital-wide surveillance of bloodstream infections (BSIs), for a combined total of 4,830,348 patient days (Table 1). Participating facilities reported 3,167 BSIs in 2,982 patients. The total incidence rate was 5.43 cases per 10,000 patient days. The incidence rate in 2016–2017 is stable compared with the average rate for 2012–2016. Two non-teaching facilities joined the program in 2016–2017. Data were extracted on May 5^th, 2017.

Update: October 5, 2017
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Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in Intensive Care Units
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016, to March 31^st, 2017, 69 intensive care units (ICUs) took part in surveillance of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), for a combined total of 135,114 catheter days (Table 1). Participating ICUs report 133 CLABSIs in 125 patients. Incidence rates are 0.91 per 1,000 catheter days in coronary ICUs, 0.62 in teaching adult ICUs, 0.46 in non-teaching adult ICUs, 2.16 in pediatric ICUs and 2.78 in neonatal ICUs. The incidence rates in 2016–2017 are lower compared to 2012–2016 in neonatal ICUs while they remain statistically stable in other ICU types. Compared to 2015-2016, one adult non-teaching ICUs with less than 10 beds has stopped…

Vascular Access–Related Bloodstream Infections in Hemodialysis Patients
Surveillance results: 2016-2017

From April 1^st, 2016, to March 31^st, 2017, 48 hemodialysis units took part in the surveillance of vascular access–related bloodstream infections (VARBSIs) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, for a combined total of 57,570 patient-periods (Table 1). Participating units reported 127 VARBSIs in 120 patients. Patient-periods involving a fistula account for 40.7% of patient-periods. The VARBSI incidence rate is 0.06 cases per 100 patient-periods for patients with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, 0.10 for patients with a synthetic fistula (graft), 0.32 for patients with a tunneled catheter and 1.24 for patients with a non-tunneled catheter. In 2016–2017, incidenc…