Event Details
Wastewater Surveillance of COVID-19: Potential Applications, Challenges, and Experiences in Ontario
About the presentation:
This session will focus on wastewater surveillance (WWS) of SARS-CoV-2, a rapidly developing field of laboratory science which aims to inform public health practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since SARS-CoV-2 is shed in feces, WWS is being explored as an adjunct surveillance tool for COVID-19 through monitoring in communities or specific populations. Various jurisdictions where WWS projects were undertaken have seen WWS contributing to overall COVID-19 surveillance and informing public health actions and interventions, including risk communication to communities and/or health partners.
Speakers will discuss the current state of the science, in addition to its potential uses and challenges. This presentation will also highlight the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks initiative to coordinate and facilitate collaboration between academic and research institutions and public health partners; as well as some of the WWS projects underway in Ontario.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the components of WWS including laboratory and public health processes
- Discuss the potential public health benefits and challenges of WWS with reference to case studies from Ontario Public Health Units
- Summarize the recent initiative to develop and coordinate WWS projects in Ontario
Presenter(s): Doug Manuel, Bahar Aminvaziri, Ramsey D’Souza and Shinthuja Wijayasri
Bahar Aminvaziri, M.Eng., P.Eng., is the manager of the Wastewater Surveillance Initiative at the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Bahar is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from University of Toronto and has 18 years of experience as a Professional Engineer in both the public and private sectors in Ontario.
Ramsey D’Souza, MPH, is the Manager of the Epidemiology & Evaluation department at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. He has worked in public health since 2003 with leading epidemiological initiatives in both health promotion and health protection. With a background in epidemiology, program planning and evaluation, Ramsey brings his expertise and enthusiasm in applying an evidence-informed decision-making approach to public health. Ramsey holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a speciality in Epidemiology from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
Shinthuja Wijayasri, MPH, is a field epidemiologist with the Canadian Field Epidemiology Program at the Public Health Agency of Canada, placed with Toronto Public Health's Communicable Disease Control directorate.
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.
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