Pathogens
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April 11, 2023
July 1976 at the American Legion Convention at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Legionnaires was named and identified as the cause of an outbreak of severe pneumonia with 200 cases and 29 deaths (3) (5). The outbreak was linked to the inhalation of aerosolized contaminated water (3)(5). A milder infection caused by the same type of Legionella bacteria is called Pontiac fever. Rewinding in time, in 1968 in Pontiac Michigan, Pontiac Fever was named and identified as an outbreak of influenza-like illness, identified by people who worked at & visited the city’s health department and had inhaled aerosols from contaminated water (3). Legionnaires' disease is an acute bacterial disease, causing death in 5% to 30% of cases (4). The Government of Canada’s Legionella site, states the following:
“Cases of Legionnaire’s disease may be difficult to detect because very few of the people exposed to the bacteria get infecte
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March 15, 2023
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV)*
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in Canada and the United States.
Symptoms and Care
Symptoms
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
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March 15, 2023
Interim guidance on infection prevention and control for suspect, probable, or confirmed monkeypox within Healthcare settings*
Infection Prevention and ControlAirborne, droplet, and contact precautions should be used for all suspect, probable, and confirmed cases of monkeypox. Precautions should be used when a patient presents with fever and vesicular/pustular rash (suspected case). Any lesions or respiratory secretions should be considered infectious material.
Routine Practices
Continue to follow routine practices including:
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March 15, 2023Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease*
Symptoms of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually include fever, mouth sores, and skin rash. The rash is commonly found on the hands and feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days.
Fever and flu-like symptoms
Children often get a fever and other flu-like symptoms 3 to 5 days after they catch the virus. Symptoms can include fever, eating or drinking less, sore throat, or feeling unwell.
Mouth sores
Your child can get painful mouth sores.
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March 13, 2023
Norovirus:
- Is a small non-enveloped virus (27 nanometers); moderately to highly resistant to inactivation
- Worldwide infections number greater than 680 million recorded cases annually, with 200,000 deaths (from 2015 data)
- Is a very persistent virus in the environment (water and environmental surfaces)