Home PSEPC Daily Infrastructure Report DOB06-212

PSEPC Daily Infrastructure Report

The PSEPC Daily Infrastructure Report is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and PSEPC information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.

DOB06-212- 3 November 2006

News

More C.difficle cases detected in Quebec
Further to PSEPC Daily Infrastructure Report DOB06‑211, on November 3, Radio‑Canada reported that more cases of Clostridium difficile (C.difficile) bacteria infections were reported in hospitals in Quebec. Approximately 20 cases were reported at the Laval hospital while a dozen cases were reported at the Saint‑François-d'Assise hospital, both in the Québec City area. Officials indicated that the strain discovered in the Saint‑François-d'Assise hospital could be the same as the C.difficle strain at the Honoré‑Mercier hospital in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, which has caused 10 fatalities over the past three months.
(Source: Radio‑Canada, 3 November 2006)
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C. difficile is the most common infection in hospitals and long‑term care centres. The infection causes diarrhea and colitis.

CFIA issues health hazard alert
On November 2, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a health hazard alert not to consume Thrifty Kitchen Crab Cakes because of possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. CFIA indicated that the manufacturer was initiating a recall of the affected products, which were distributed in Thrifty Foods stores across B.C.
(Source: CFIA, 2 November 2006)
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Consumption of products contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin can cause botulism with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure, paralysis, and, in severe cases, death.

New security features for Nova Scotia driver’s licence
On November 1, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations James Muir introduced a new driver's licence and identification card with enhanced security features. Mr. Muir indicated that the new cards better meet safety and security requirements and that the information is formatted to meet international standards. Some of the new features include the document holder’s signature appearing on the front of the driver’s licence for easier identification by authorities and bar codes on the back of the documents, which replaces the magnetic strip and better protects the document holder’s vital data.
(Source: Government of Nova Scotia, 1 November 2006)
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Canada favourably ranked by international privacy watchdog
On November 2, Canadian Press reported that the Privacy International (PI) group, based in London, England, ranked Canada as the highest country outside the European Union in defending and managing privacy rights and information. The rankings are the result of a study by PI of privacy issues including privacy legislations, data sharing and global leadership in privacy issues in 37 countries. Germany ranked number one overall.
(Source: Canadian Press, Privacy International, 2 November 2006)
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In brief 

New H5N1 virus strain detected in China: Update
Further to PSEPC Daily Infrastructure Report DOB06‑211, on November 2, Reuters AlertNet reported that Chinese officials indicated that no new strain of H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected and that the samples of the virus from the south share a similar uniformity.
(Source: Reuters AlertNet, 2 November 2006)
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Manitoba launches seasonal influenza vaccine program
On November 2, Manitoba Minister of Healthy Living Kerri Irwin‑Ross announced the launch of the 2006 seasonal influenza vaccine program. Ms Irwin‑Ross encouraged all “at risk” Manitobans to be immunized and recommended that citizens age 65 and older obtain the pneumococcal vaccine available under the current immunization program.
(Source: Government of Manitoba, 2 November 2006)
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Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 24 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has not detected any significant new threats or vulnerabilities. 

No significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported. 

Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as low.

Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems.

See also...

• The Weather Office
• FAC - Travel Updates

Note to readers

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.

Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (NOC) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The NOC can be reached at 613-993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at 613-993-9620.

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