Estimated Numbers of Community Cases of Illness due to Salmonella, Campylobacter and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC): Canada
This study estimated the annual number of cases of illness due to VTEC, Salmonella and Campylobacter in the Canadian population, using data from the National Notifiable Disease registry (NND), estimates of under-reporting derived from several National Studies on Acute Gastrointestinal Illness, and the literature. In cases where the pathogen-specific estimates were unavailable, data on acute gastrointestinal illness were used, accounting for differences between those with bloody and nonbloody diarrhea. For every case of VTEC, Salmonella and Campylobacter infection reported in the NND, there were an estimated 10 to 47, 13 to 37, and 23 to 49 cases annually in the Canadian population, respectively. The authors estimate that a significant number of infections due to VTEC, Salmonella and Campylobacter occur each year in Canada, highlighting the fact that these enteric pathogens are likely underreported and still pose a significant health burden. Recognizing the significant amount of under-reporting is essential to designing appropriate interventions and assessing the impact of these pathogens in the population.
Source: The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Volume 17, No. 4, July/August 2006

E. coli : Manitoba
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is investigating 17 cases of E. coli infection that have occurred in August, 10 of them since 14 August 2006. In July, there were a total of 10 cases reported in the region bringing the total to 42 cases so far this year. WRHA Medical Officer of Health the region decided to issue a release due to the high number of recent cases and the fact that many of them appear to be related to food preparation, not undercooked meat. The investigation into the cases reveal that while many of the people involved did ingest hamburger, they reported it was well cooked. That raises the concern that this may indeed be an issue of food preparation and cross contamination.
Source: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, 16 August 2006

Hepatitis A: Nova Scotia (Update)
Two new cases of hepatitis A have been reported within the community of Lower Sackville bringing the total to 12 cases reported since the beginning of the outbreak. One is a recent case connected to an individual previously diagnosed with the virus. The second case was from earlier in the summer and was identified as a result of the letters that public health sent to parents of students from Hillside Park Elementary School (where 4 cases were identified). Public Health is conducting follow-up with the contacts of the 2 new cases to identify any further possible cases. These 2 new cases were anticipated as part of the normal course of the illness, and there is the possibility of additional cases occurring over the coming weeks. No new suspect cases are pending.
Source: News Release, Nova Scotia Capital Health District Authority, 21 August 2006

Increase of Sexually Transmitted Disease Infections (STI): Wyoming
Wyoming Department of Health officials are reporting a sharp increase this year in cases of STI following several years of steady growth in Wyoming. There were 744 cases of chlamydia reported just from 1 January to 30 June of this year. If this trend continues, there could be more than 1400 cases for the year, which will represent an increase of more than 25% over what was reported in 2005. The numbers of cases of chlamydia infections in the state has increased at a rate of 5-10% each year for the past 6 years from 787 cases in 1999 to 1173 cases in 2005. While gonorrhea cases occur far less frequently, the number of reported cases have climbed dramatically over the past 3 years. There were 53 total cases in 2000 and 86 in 2005. During the first 6 months of 2006, 68 cases of gonorrhea have already been diagnosed. If this continues, it could also represent an increase of 65% over last year. One factor affecting the spread of these diseases has likely been methamphetamine use. There have been 2 recent outbreaks of gonorrhea linked to methamphetamine use in two counties within the past 9 months. The Department of Health's STD/Infertility Prevention Program plans to work closely with private medical providers to develop new strategies to help reduce the growth of STI cases in Wyoming's communities.
Source: Press Release, Wyoming Department of Health, 11 August 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.