Transcript The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

How the World Keeps Diseases from
Spreading Pt.2
The Role Canada is Playing
The Public Health Agency of Canada
(PHAC)
 PHAC was created in 2004 in response to growing concerns
about the capacity of Canada's public health system to
anticipate and respond effectively to public health threats.
 Why 2004? What happened around this time that
scared Canadians?
After SARS ....
 The Canadian Government acknowledged that Canada lacked
a coordinated system to notify hospitals of global health
alerts, with accompanying recommendations for surveillance
and control .
 And so... The Public Health Agency of Canada was born!
What does PHAC do?
Prevent and control infectious diseases
2. Prepare for and respond to public health emergencies
3. Prevent and control chronic diseases and injuries
1.
How does PHAC do this?
Surveillance
2. Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans
1.
Surveillance
 Information on causation, risk patterns, and trends in the
occurrence of infectious diseases are monitored to assist in
the development of intervention strategies and control
programs.
Diseases Under National Surveillance
in Canada

Botulism

Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease

Cholera

Hantavirus

Hepatitis A, B, C

Influenza

Salmonellosis

Legionellosis

Typhoid

Leprosy

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Invasive Meningococcal Disease

Chlamydial Infection

Tuberculosis

Gonorrhea

Lyme Disease

HIV Infection

Malaria

Syphilis

Rabies

Diphtheria

Mumps

Measles

Pertussis

Anthrax

Poliomyelitis

Plague

Rubella

Smallpox

Tetanus

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
 FluWatch is Canada's national surveillance system that
monitors the spread of the flu and flu-like illnesses on an ongoing basis.
 FluWatch distinguishes between seasonal Influenza A and
Pandemic Influenza A (Swine Flu).
 What is a pandemic? And How is it different from
an epidemic?
FluWatch Cont...
 PHAC produces weekly FluWatch reports during the
influenza season (October - May) and biweekly reports
during the off season (June - September).
Influenza Activity Levels
 Level 1 = No activity: no laboratory-confirmed influenza
detections during the past four weeks
 Level 2 = Sporadic: sporadically occurring lab confirmed
influenza
 Level 3 = Localized: sporadically occurring lab confirmed
influenza together with outbreaks in schools, worksites
and/or residential institutions
 Level 4 = Widespread: lab confirmed influenza occurring
in greater than or equal to 50% of the surveillance region
Summary of FluWatch Findings for the
Week ending August 25th, 2012
 Overall Influenza Summary
 Influenza activity in Canada remains low and is at inter-seasonal levels
 In weeks 33 and 34, a total of 4 laboratory detections of influenza were
reported of which 50% were for influenza A viruses (one A(H3) and one
A(H1N1)pdm09 AKA Swine Flu!) and 50% for influenza B viruses
 Only 1 region reported sporadic activity (BC) in week 34. No new outbreaks of
influenza/ILI were reported
 No influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported over the two-week
period
 The ILI consultation rate in weeks 33 and 34 were within the expected levels
for this time of year
 Basically no one is getting the Flu in the summer in Canada… we
will see how this changes as we are just now entering flu season.
Canada’s Flu Pandemic Preparedness
Plan
The plan is based on six key strategies:
1. Early detection
2. Ongoing updates to keep Canadians well-informed about what
is happening and what to do as a result.
3. Emergency health services to care for those who are sick.
4. Antiviral medications
5. Pandemic flu vaccine
6. Public health measures to prevent the spread of infection —
recommendations about travel, airports, public gatherings, and
advice to schools, businesses, and communities.
Video Clip – Swine Flu Vaccine
 http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20
091019/H1N1_vaccine_091019/20091019?hub=Health
Testing your Knowledge of Swine Flu!
 PHAC has spent millions in Public awareness campaigns –
have you been listening?
1. Cough into your ______________
2. Wash your hands for how long? ______________
3. Does eating pork products put you at risk for swine flu
infection?
4. Do the symptoms of swine flu differ from the symptoms of
seasonal flu?
5. When are you most infectious?
6. How many flu vaccines should you get this upcoming year?
Testing your Knowledge of Swine Flu!
 PHAC has spent millions in Public awareness campaigns – have you
been listening?
1. Cough into your Elbow or sleeve
2. Wash your hands for how long? Minimum 15 seconds, more if they are
visibly soiled.
3. Does eating pork products put you at risk for swine flu infection? Heck
No!
4. Do the symptoms of swine flu differ from the symptoms of seasonal flu?
Not initially, but usually more chest congestion.
5. When are you most infectious? Day 1 and up to 5-7 days of being sick.
6. How many flu vaccines should you get this upcoming year? Not said yet
by PHAC, but a seasonal flu shot for sure and maybe a swine flu shot.