Salmonella Typhimurium: Ontario
In April 2005, the Ontario Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) identified 55 cases of S. Typhimurium, an increase from the average number of reports of 36 (range: 32 to 41) for the same month between 2002 and 2004. As well, the National Microbiology Laboratory identified more of phage type (PT) U302 than expected among S. Typhimurium cases in Ontario during this time. This particular phage type is relatively uncommon in Canada but has been reported sporadically in Ontario. Between 1 March and 31 May, 2005, 47 confirmed cases of S. Typhimurium PT U302 were identified. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were provided by CPHL for 87% of cases (41/47). Two cases were excluded from the investigation because their PFGE profiles were sufficiently different from the most common profile that they were likely not part of the outbreak. Illness was significantly related to the consumption of salami. Analysis using combined deli meat exposures showed that 87% of cases (26/30) reported eating either salami, mortadella, or prosciutto, compared with 40% of controls. The pattern of the epidemic curve, the long period over which the reports of confirmed cases increased, the geographic distribution of cases, and the lack of an epidemiologic link between cases supports the hypothesis that the outbreak was due to a common source rather than a point source (e.g. food served at a large gathering). The common source could likely be a food product with a long shelf life that was widely distributed across southern Ontario. It may have been a ready-to-eat item that did not require cooking, since food-borne infection with Salmonella species can usually be prevented with adequate refrigeration and cooking temperatures, and proper handwashing and food preparation practices.
Source: Canada Communicable Disease Report, Volume 32, No. 7, 1 April 2006

Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) - Statement on Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE): Canada
CATMAT provides the Public Health Agency of Canada with ongoing and timely medical, scientific, and public health advice relating to tropical infectious disease and health risks associated with international travel. To identify travellers who are at risk of contracting the TBE virus, travel medicine professionals should consider the season of travel, travel itinerary, and the activities of the traveller. Ticks are active from March to November. Tick activity should be considered at altitudes up to 1400 m. Risk activities include fieldwork, biking, hiking or camping outdoors, particularly at the edge of forests, in parks or meadows, and where the countryside is moist and uncultivated, containing low brush and ground foliage. Travellers meeting all of these criteria should be advised regarding prevention of tick bites, tick removal, and vaccination. The statement can be accessed online at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/06vol32/acs-03/index.html.
Source: Canada Communicable Disease Report, Volume 32, ACS-3, 1 April 2006

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): Quebec
In Quebec, a case of LGV was reported in 2004 and 24 cases in 2005 (23 in Montreal and 1 in the Eastern Township). Up to 83% of these cases were observed in the latter half of 2005. All cases were in men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 21 to 55 years (average age 38 years). A large majority of MSM for whom LGV was reported in 2005 had had sexual relations in gay saunas during the incubation period; up to 70% knew they had human immunodeficiency virus infection; about one third had used at least once during the past, one of the following drugs: marijuana, poppers, ecstasy or smoked cocaine; and just over one out of five had had sex with a partner who usually lives outside Quebec, either during a trip a patient had taken or when a partner was visiting Quebec; partner living in Belgium (1), France (1), Latin America (1) and the United States (2). Fisting and sharing sex toys were very rarely reported.
Source: Bulletin Prévention en pratique médicale, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal, Région de Montréal-Santé Publique, March 2006

The details given are for information only and may be very provisional. Where incidents are considered of national importance and are ongoing, the initial report will be updated as new information becomes available.