Following the COVID-19 pandemic response, multiple jurisdictions around the world witnessed an increase in invasive Group A streptococcal disease (iGAS) activity, including Ontario. Increased iGAS monthly case counts continued to be observed in Ontario in October and November 2023, compared to the same months in recent pre-pandemic years. This session will provide an overview of recent iGAS epidemiological trends in Ontario and Canada, including frequently observed iGAS emm types and the emergence of the hyper-virulent M1UK sub-lineage. It will also describe current approaches to iGAS laboratory testing and surveillance at the National Microbiology Laboratory, including whole genome sequencing. Finally, this session will describe the 2022 recurrence of a 2019 outbreak of iGAS type emm 89 in a Montreal facility housing a mix of long-term care, intermediate care and retirement home residents. It will include lessons learned and describe how whole genome sequencing contributed to outbreak investigation and management.
Intended audience: Public health professionals involved in communicable disease prevention and control, nurses, investigators, Associate/Medical Officers of Health, epidemiologists, clinicians and laboratory staff interested in the epidemiology of and public health response to invasive Group A streptococcal disease.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Summarize recent epidemiological trends in iGAS activity in Ontario and Canada
- Describe the current approach to iGAS whole genome sequencing and reporting at the National Microbiology Laboratory
- Identify key considerations in iGAS outbreak management in long-term care settings
- Appreciate the contribution of whole genome sequencing to the investigation and management of iGAS outbreaks
Presenter(s): Dr. Liane Macdonald, Dr. Genevieve Cadieux, Dr. Alyssa Golden
Dr. Liane Macdonald, MD MSc FRCPC, is a public health physician in Health Protection at Public Health Ontario (PHO), where she supports communicable disease work including provincial surveillance of invasive Group A streptococcal disease and tuberculosis. She is an Assistant Professor (Status Only) at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a member of the five Ontario universities’ Public Health and Preventive Medicine residency program committees.
Dr. Genevieve Cadieux,MD MSc PhD CCFP FRCPC, is the acting Chief of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at Montreal Public Health, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the McGill University Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health. She previously worked as an Associate Medical Officer of Health at Ottawa Public Health from 2017-2019, in communicable disease control and prevention. She completed her residency training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine at the University of Toronto. She completed her MD, MSc and PhD at McGill University.
Dr. Alyssa Golden,BS PhD, is a biologist in the Streptococcus and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Unit at the National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow and PhD student in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada. She focuses on surveillance, antimicrobial resistance and genomic analysis of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.
Accreditation
Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.
College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.
PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).
For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.
Accessibility
Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.
Register Here
