Strengthening Blastomycosis Response and Indigenous Health Initiatives

Public Health Ontario (PHO) continues to take action on the recommendations directed to the organization following the Coroner’s Inquest into the blastomycosis outbreak in Constance Lake First Nation.

The inquest examined the circumstances surrounding the 2021–2022 outbreak, which resulted in five deaths and more than 50 infections, and issued recommendations to strengthen public health practice and collaboration across the system. You can learn more about PHO’s involvement in the inquest by visiting an earlier news post.

PHO has been advancing work across several key areas, including Indigenous cultural safety, public health response and coordination, diagnostics and data.

Progress to Date

Indigenous Cultural Safety
PHO has taken steps to strengthen its commitment to Indigenous health and culturally informed public health practice, including:

• Publicly endorsing Joyce’s Principle and Indigenous health transformation
• Expanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and trauma-informed training for staff, with most identified personnel having completed training
• Continuing to build and strengthen relationships with Indigenous partners and communities to inform this work
• Advancing initiatives that support Indigenous-led approaches and ongoing organizational learning

Public Health Response and Coordination
Work is underway to enhance collaboration and coordination during and after outbreak responses, including:

• Supporting information sharing across public health, government and Indigenous partners
• Engaging with partners to explore approaches aligned with Indigenous data principles (OCAP)
• Participating in discussions to strengthen coordinated responses to complex, multi-jurisdictional outbreaks

• Increasing awareness and education for clinicians and public health professionals on the recognition, diagnosis and management of blastomycosis.

Diagnostics and Data
Efforts are underway to strengthen detection, investigation and understanding of blastomycosis, including:

• Updating guidance and resources for Indigenous community members, health professionals and public health partners
• Advancing work to expand diagnostic testing options in Ontario, including exploring local access to urine antigen testing
• Supporting more timely and equitable access to diagnostics, particularly for northern and remote communities
• Developing a standardized Ontario Investigation Tool to improve data collection and support more complete, culturally informed case investigations
• Supporting education, research and knowledge sharing to strengthen system-wide understanding of blastomycosis

Reporting and Accountability
PHO is continuing to monitor and report on its progress, including:

• Providing updates to partners and communities
• Supporting transparency and accountability in implementing the recommendations

Ongoing Commitment

PHO remains committed to working with Indigenous communities and health system partners to implement the inquest recommendations and strengthen public health practice in Ontario.

This work extends beyond the Blastomycosis Inquest and reflects PHO’s broader commitment to advancing Indigenous health and culturally informed public health practice. Learn more about this work by exploring PHO’s Indigenous Engagement and Indigenous Health webpages.

Next Steps

 PHO continues to coordinate internally to address the recommendations and prepare for required reporting.