Détails des événements

This PHO Rounds will provide an overview of current approaches to viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) risk assessment, infection prevention and control (IPAC), and laboratory testing, with a focus on the Ebola disease outbreak due to Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Participants will be introduced to Public Health Ontario’s VHF risk assessment tool, with practical guidance on its application in clinical and public health settings. Key IPAC principles for acute care settings will be reviewed, along with relevant provincial guidance and resources. Updates to laboratory testing algorithms will also be discussed, with an emphasis on coordination with the Special Pathogens Notification Pathway. This session will highlight key resources to support VHF preparedness and response in Ontario.

Intended Audience:
Public health professionals and clinicians involved in VHF preparedness and response, including public health unit staff, Medical Officers of Health (MOH) and Associate Medical Officers of Health (AMOH), public health physicians, infection prevention and control (IPAC) practitioners, medical microbiologists, emergency department and critical care staff, infectious diseases physicians, paramedics, and occupational health and safety professionals.

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

• Describe the epidemiology of the 2026 Ebola disease outbreak due to Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
• Apply a structured approach to conducting a VHF risk assessment by integrating clinical presentation, exposure history, and travel history, and identify immediate steps to take when VHF is suspected.
• Summarize key infection prevention and control measures for VHF in acute care settings and identify relevant PHO clinical resources.
• Understand PHO’s VHF testing process and identify how to activate the Special Pathogen Notification Pathway when VHF testing is being considered following a detailed risk assessment.

Dr. Austin Zygmunt, MSc, MD, CCFP, FRCPC is a Public Health Physician in Communicable Disease Control at Public Health Ontario. His portfolio includes viral hemorrhagic fevers, where he provides scientific, technical, and medical expertise to public health partners, supporting VHF risk assessment, public health guidance, and outbreak preparedness and response activities.

Dr. Shawn Clark, MSc, PhD, FCCM is a Clinical Microbiologist at Public Health Ontario and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. At PHO, Dr. Clark is the clinical lead for genomics and diagnostic testing for arthropod-borne and zoonotic viruses, including viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Dr. Jeya Nadarajah, MD, MSc, FRCPC is an Infectious Diseases Specialist and Medical Microbiologist. She is the Physician Lead in Infection Prevention and Control at Public Health Ontario where she provides scientific, technical and clinical expertise including VHF IPAC guidance.

Guest Panelist:

Dr. Kate Bingham, MD MSc CCFP(EM) FRCPC is an Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province of Ontario. She was previously an Associate Medical Officer of Health in Peel Region for nine years, including serving as the Acting Medical Officer of Health. Kate completed her MD, Family Medicine residency, and Public Health and Preventive Medicine residency at the University of Toronto, and her MSc in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Moderator:

Dr. Sarah Wilson, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, is Deputy Chief, Medical and System Support, Communicable Disease Control at Public Health Ontario. In this role she provides medical and operational leadership across the Communicable Disease Control portfolio. She is an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and a Senior Adjunct Scientist at ICES, where she leads applied public health research using linked surveillance and health administrative data.

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.

Public Health Ontario Grand 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 Grand 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 events@oahpp.ca

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 events@oahpp.ca.