[Table of Contents]

Volume: 23S1 - January 1997

Canadian Contingency Plan for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and Other Related Diseases

RATIONALE

While the majority of unusual or emerging communicable diseases are not indigenous to Canada⁽⁶⁾ , international travel provides the opportunity for the transport and introduction of these agents or infected individuals into the country. Additionally, as demonstrated by the recent recognition of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in North America, local acquisition of an unusual or emerging communicable disease, while rare, remains possible. International travel is not a prerequisite for acquiring a serious communicable disease.

Many of the viral hemorrhagic viruses have high case-fatality rates. The management of patients and clinical contacts requires considerable care to prevent possible further transmission. In situations where the unusual or emerging communicable disease is highly infectious, contact tracing and identification may be required. A strongly suspected or proven case of one of these diseases constitutes a potential public health emergency.

While the major focus of this plan is directed at diseases caused by viruses, many of the principles and operational practices can be applied to the control of unusual or emerging communicable bacterial diseases, e.g., pneumonic plague or international outbreaks of acute fatal disease of undetermined etiology.

The clinical management of these diseases and guidelines for their public health management in the United States have been described in "Update: Management of Patients with Suspected Viral Hemorrhagic Fever - United States" ⁽⁷⁾ . In general, the Canadian approach is similar to that taken by American authorities. It should be noted that the revisions in the above mentioned document have modified the guidelines for respiratory precautions and suggest a graduated containment approach that recognizes the increasing risk of infectiousness with the clinical progression of disease. This Canadian plan addresses issues specific to the Canadian approach.

[Previous] [Table of Contents] [Next]