Event Details

PHO Rounds: The Occurrence of Anaplasmosis and Passive Tick Surveillance Options in Ontario

Ontario continues to see an expansion of the blacklegged tick across the province. As its establishment increases, surveillance of the species and tick-borne pathogens is imperative to inform public health action. This session will describe a recent analysis of the occurrence of anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease, in Ontario. This will be followed by a summary of the tick identification service eTick and how it can be used by the public as a form of passive tick surveillance. 

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

1. Describe serological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of human granulocytic anaplasmosis
2. Identify areas of Ontario with a higher risk of Anaplasma phagocytophilum exposure 
3. Describe the uses of passive tick surveillance services such as eTick

Presenter(s): Dr. Curtis Russell and Dr. Mark P. Nelder

Dr. Curtis Russell is a senior program specialist with the Enteric, Zoonotic, and Vector-Borne Diseases team at Public Health Ontario. In this role, Curtis provides scientific and technical advice and support to Ontario's public heath units on vector-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease. He received his doctorate in biology from Brock University with a particular focus on mosquitoes and their potential to transmit West Nile Virus to humans. In the early days of West Nile Virus he was dubbed the “roving entomologist.”

Dr. Mark P. Nelder is a senior program specialist with the Enteric, Zoonotic, and Vector-Borne Diseases team at PHO. In this role, Mark provides scientific and technical advice and support to Ontario's public heath units on vectors and vector-borne diseases. Mark received his doctoral degree in medical and veterinary entomology from Clemson University, studying the ecology of ectoparasites, biting flies and pathogens in zoos. In addition, Mark held a post-doctoral position at Rutgers University studying the ecology and management of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito. Mark’s research interests lie with mosquito and tick ecology and the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases.  

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 .