Event Details

PHO Rounds: Legionella Outbreak Investigations: A Practical Approach, Part II

Legionella is a bacteria that resides in the environment, usually contracted by inhalation of contaminated aerosolized water from human made water systems. Exposure can result in Pontiac fever, a self-limited flu-like illness or Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. This three-part series will provide a practical overview of public health investigations of legionellosis, including assessment of the epidemiology, potential environmental sources, appropriate clinical and environmental testing, and environmental control and remediation.

Intended audience: Public Health Unit (PHU) staff in case and outbreak management, environmental health, Associate Medical Officers of Health (AMOHs), Medical Officers of Health (MOHs)

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

• Describe an environmental risk assessment and sampling plan components (e.g., health and safety considerations, sample collection) for a Legionella investigation.
• Discuss the interpretation of environmental, epidemiological and laboratory data in the investigation of Legionella outbreaks.
• Describe control and remediation measures for Legionella in water systems.

Upcoming Sessions

Part 1 (May 9) described key components and strategies in a legionellosis investigation including the epidemiology of cases, clinical testing and environmental risk factors and assessment.

Part 2 (May 16) will review environmental sampling, interpretation of results and remediation measures to mitigate Legionella growth in water systems.

Part 3 (June 8) will describe a cooling tower-associated outbreak investigated by Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit, lessons learned and approaches used to communicate with the public.

Presenter(s): Kelly Briscoe and Anna Majury

Kelly Briscoe, BA, BASc, MSc, CPHI(C), is a Senior Program Specialist on the Environmental and Occupational Health Team at Public Health Ontario (PHO) and has a Master of Science degree in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Safety and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Health Sciences. She is a certified Public Health Inspector (PHI) with over 15 years of experience in the environmental health field.

Anna Majury, DVM, MSc, PhD, is a Microbiologist at PHO, with a specific interest in environmental microbiology, including outbreak investigations (e.g. food, water, and Legionella). In addition to her diagnostic laboratory responsibilities, she values health equity research and has focused on UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 in the context of rural drinking water in Ontario.

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.