Event Details

PHO Rounds: Respiratory Season 2024-25, Part 1: Surveillance & Testing

This PHO Rounds provides an overview of the current epidemiological trends for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in Ontario, Canada and internationally. It highlights relevant provincial data entry requirements for the 2024-25 surveillance period, as well as describes the provincial reports that will be available for monitoring respiratory virus activity in Ontario and identifies where specific surveillance content can be found. This session also describes the planned approach to testing across the provincial lab network for respiratory viruses for the upcoming season. This session is part one of a two-part PHO Rounds series on the 2024-25 respiratory season. Continue to check our Events page for upcoming event announcements.

Intended audience: Public health units, primary healthcare providers, acute care, long term care, congregate living settings

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Summarize current epidemiological trends in influenza, COVID-19, and RSV in Ontario, Canada and internationally.
• Describe the testing options available in Ontario for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV for the 2024-25 season.
• Identify where to find the Public Health Ontario resources for monitoring respiratory virus activity in Ontario.
• Describe relevant provincial data reporting and entry requirements for the 2024-25 surveillance period

Presenter(s): Michael Whelan and Maan Hasso

Michael Whelan, MSc, is an Epidemiologist Lead on the Communicable Diseases team in Health Protection at Public Health Ontario. His portfolio includes influenza and emerging respiratory viruses, tuberculosis, legionellosis, and invasive group A streptococcal disease. Mike completed his MSc. iEn Epidemiology at Queen’s University.

Maan Hasso, MD, FRCPC, is a Medical Microbiologist at Public Health Ontario and leads the viral detection and molecular diagnostic portfolio. He completed his medical degree as well as a Master’s degree in medical microbiology from Baghdad University in Iraq. In 2020, he graduated from the medical microbiology residency and fellowship program in the Department of Laboratory and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, and completed the certificate in Medical Microbiology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.