News Release
2003-87
November 19, 2003
For immediate release
Minister of Health officially opens Health Canada's Emergency Operations Centre and announces measures to strengthen the public health system
OTTAWA - The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, today officially
opened Health Canada's Emergency Operations Centre and described the measures underway
to better detect and contain infectious diseases which will strengthen Canada's public
health system.
"We are working towards a seamless pan-Canadian public health system in Canada - one that
is world class and well-prepared to respond immediately to future outbreaks of infectious
diseases no matter where they occur in Canada," the Minister said, as she officially opened
the facility that will serve as a "command centre" for Health Canada in the event of a
health emergency or disaster.
Canadians can be assured that the Government is well-prepared for the 2003/2004 flu season
and can monitor the flu situation through Health Canada's  Public Health Agency Web site.
"Public health involves anticipation, readiness planning, careful monitoring and surveillance,
effective research and diagnosis, as well as quarantine systems and medical care to contain
an outbreak," the Minister said. "SARS showed us where the gaps are in Canada's public
health system and we are committed to addressing those gaps. We recognize that our first
priority has to be to support front-line workers so that they have the tools they need
to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. At the same time we need better surveillance
measures, stronger laboratory capacity and more research."
The Government of Canada is strengthening the public health system, so that Canada is
better able to meet infectious and non-infectious disease challenges.
Steps are being taken to:
- improve the resources available to front-line workers including a pan-Canadian outbreak
data management system that will allow us to do trend analysis; strengthened measures
for the investigation and control of SARS; alert system protocols; additional masks and
laboratory testing materials for the National Emergency Stockpile System; and Internet
based training and conferences for front-line workers;
- fund Canada's new Emergency Operations Centre;
- strengthen surveillance so that Canada and Canadians have as much advance notice of
infectious diseases as possible;
- expand science and research to improve our capacity to test, diagnose and treat new
infectious diseases;
- establish standards and guidelines in collaboration with the provinces and territories
and other health partners in Canada and internationally so that we have common standards
for the diagnosis, treatment and reporting of infectious diseases;
- improve collaboration with provinces and territories by jointly developing infectious
alert systems and disease protocols, and establishing common standards and guidelines
for the surveillance of communicable diseases;
- increase Canada's laboratory capacity to improve and speed-up diagnosis, testing and
the search for vaccines;
- exchange information and lessons learned through the Global Public Health Lab Network;
and,
- expand the Canadian Integrated Outbreak Surveillance Centre, a web-based alert system
to include respiratory outbreaks. The system currently monitors enteric, foodborne and
waterborne disease outbreaks in Canada.
SARS Screening
Although there are currently no reported SARS cases anywhere in the world, Health Canada
is maintaining vigilance at Canada's airports and will continue to do so.
- Quarantine Officers will be available at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary
and Ottawa, Edmonton and Halifax international airports.
- Travellers are asked to continue to monitor their health and report signs of illness.
- The yellow and cherry Health Alert Notices that have been used until now will be replaced
with an Infectious Disease Brochure that will be distributed by Health Canada to all
Canadian international airports, travel medicine clinics and through the Health Canada
and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade travel medicine web sites.
- If an infectious disease outbreak occurs, thermal scanners will be reinstated at Canada's
airports within 24 to 48 hours.
These screening measures are appropriate for the current situtation and will be phased
in over the next two to three weeks and are in keeping with the recommendations in the
Naylor Committee Report.
"Prevention strategies are an important component of public health management and people
should protect themselves and their fellow citizens from infectious diseases by: getting
a flu shot, washing their hands frequently, and staying home if they are sick," said Minister
McLellan.
Health Canada will continue to work in partnership with the provinces and territories,
stakeholders, the public and others to strengthen Canada's public health system.
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Media Inquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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