Communicable Diseases Information for Physicians

The Health Department provides support for:

• investigating all reports of confirmed and suspected cases of diseases of public health significance (formerly reportable diseases) in the community and within institutions (i.e., schools, licensed daycares, hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes)
• reporting cases to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and/or Pubic Health Ontario for ongoing surveillance and identification of outbreaks
• inspecting institutions, premises or facilities where cases and/or disease transmission is suspected

We:

• issue Physician Advisories and Outbreak Bulletins
• manage cases and contacts, including:
  • recommendations to physicians about treatment and chemoprophylaxis
  • advice on required testing and/or specimen sample submission
  • recommendations about infection prevention and control measures
  • advice on immunization or immune-globulin to cases and contacts
  • counselling for cases and contacts about disease prevention