Infectious disease

A new government intervention plan was adopted in early 2013 to protect public health against West Nile virus (WNV) infection, since WNV infection epidemiological activity had resumed in Québec in 2011 and 2012. This new plan establishes the strategy to be pursued for the years 2013 to 2015. The primary objective of the strategy adopted by public health authorities is to prevent the complications and human mortality related to WNV infection.

Interventions are planned to combat…

In 2013, integrated surveillance of West Nile virus (WNV) in Québec included epidemiological surveillance of human cases, entomological surveillance of mosquitoes and surveillance of animals, including wild birds and domestic animals (agricultural).

During this season, 30 human cases of WNV infection were acquired in Québec, including 29 confirmed cases and one probable case. Of these, 23 (77%) were classed as WNV neuroinvasive cases and 22 were hospitalized, including…

An outbreak of Ebola virus disease has been ongoing in West Africa since March 2014. It is the largest outbreak known to date. Although low, the threat of importing Ebola virus disease cannot be excluded. Ebola Virus Disease has a fatality rate of 50% to 90%.

This fact sheet sets out the recommendations of the Comité sur les infections nosocomiales du Québec (CINQ) for Ebola virus disease prevention and control measures for Québec hospitals. Notwithstanding the transmission…

To control the spread of the meningococcal serogroup B disease in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region which has had a higher incidence rate compared with the rest of the province since 2004, a vaccination campaign was undertaken and targeted individuals 20 years and younger residing in or attending an educational institution in this region. An enhanced surveillance system was implemented to monitor the onset of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) in real time in order to be…

An outbreak of Ebola virus disease has been ongoing in West Africa since March 2014. It is the largest outbreak known to date. Although low, the threat of importing Ebola virus disease cannot be excluded. Ebola virus disease has a fatality rate of 50% to 90%.

This fact sheet sets out the recommendations of the Comité sur les infections nosocomiales du Québec (CINQ) for Ebola virus disease prevention and control measures for Québec hospitals. Notwithstanding the transmission of…

A more recent publication based on new studies has just been issued by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. This update is titled «L'effet du traitement des personnes vivant avec le VIH sur le risque de transmission sexuelle de l'infection» (The impact of treating people living with HIV on the risk of sexual transmission of the infection) can be found here:…

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 42 hemodialysis units took part in the surveillance of vascular access–related bloodstream infections (VARBSIs) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, for a combined total of 51,697 patient periods. The participating units reported 218 VARBSIs in 209 patients. Patient periods involving a fistula accounted for 44.9% of cases. The VARBSI incidence rate was 0.19 cases per 100 patient periods for patients with an…

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 67 intensive care units (ICUs) took part in the surveillance of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), for a combined total of 128,207 centralline days. Participating ICUs reported 201 CLABSIs in 197 patients. Incidence rates were 1.13 per 1,000 central-line days in coronary ICUs, 0.84 in teaching adult ICUs, 1.22 in non-teaching adult ICUs, 2.83 in pediatric ICUs and 5.36 in neonatal ICUs. Incidence rates in…

Entre le 1^er avril 2012 et le 31 mars 2013, 64 installations de santé ont participé sur une base volontaire à la surveillance des bactériémies panhospitalières, pour un cumul de 3 797 385 joursprésence (tableau 1). Ces installations ont rapporté 2 797 bactériémies, survenues chez 2 674 patients. Le taux d'incidence total était de 6,1 cas par 10  000 joursprésence. Le taux d'incidence en 2012-2013 a diminué…

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 95 healthcare facilities participated in the surveillance of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD), for a combined total of 5,233,966 inpatient days. The participating facilities reported 3,797 cases of healthcare-associated (HA) CDAD. The total incidence rate of HA-CDAD was 7.3 cases per 10,000 patient days. This incidence rate was stable compared to the rate of 2011–2012. The 10-day case fatality was 8.7% (n=304…