July 4, 2003

Proceedings of the 5th Canadian National Immunization Conference: Canada
The 5th National Immunization Conference was held in Victoria, British Columbia, on 1-3 December 2002. It was organized by the Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), with financial support from the private sector, and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec. The theme of the conference, Canada's National Immunization Strategy: From Vision to Action, was chosen in order to allow discussion of the progress that has been made towards achieving this initiative's goal to optimize the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of immunization programs in Canada. The key components of the proposed National Immunization Strategy (NIS) are vaccine safety, immunization registries, vaccine procurement, national goals and objectives, and collaborative program planning. In support of these, activities such as public education/communication, professional education, research, approaches to special populations, and vaccine preventable disease surveillance will be undertaken. This report provides a brief account of the presentations made at the conference. The report can be accessed on-line at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/03pdf/29s4e.pdf.
Source: Canada Communicable Disease Report, Volume 29S4, May 2003

Sexually Transmitted Infections: United Kingdom
The latest figures on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), released by the Health Protection Agency, show that levels are continuing to rise across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but that cases of gonorrhoea are decreasing among gay men. Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed STI, and has increased by 14% between 2001 and 2002. Syphilis also rose by 67% in males and 33% in females. Overall cases of gonorrhoea rose by 8% in males and 10% in females. The rise in viral infections was less, with genital herpes up by 1% in males and 4% in females, and genital warts up by 3% in males and 1% in females. Some of these increases are the result of increased awareness of STIs and more people using genito-urinary medicine (GUM) services, and improvements in screening for STIs. However, high-risk sexual behaviour undoubtedly remains a significant contributing factor. The data also confirm that certain risk groups are disproportionately affected by STIs, including gay men, certain ethnic groups, and young women. For example, 40% of new gonorrhoea diagnoses in 2002 were seen in females under the age of 20.
Source: Press Release, Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom, 3 July 2003

Monkeypox: United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the presence of monkeypox virus in one Gambian giant rat, three dormice, and two rope squirrels. The animals were part of a shipment of African rodents imported to the United States on 9 April 2003. This shipment is believed to be the source of the current U.S. outbreak of monkeypox. As a result, CDC has issued guidance on the quarantine and euthanasia of all animals from the shipment, as well as prairie dogs from the United States that were exposed to the imported species or with other animals suspected to have monkeypox. These recommendations aim to prevent further spread of the monkeypox virus to humans and other animals. CDC, along with other federal agencies and state and local and health departments, is investigating 81 suspect and probable human cases of monkeypox. Thirty-two of those cases have been confirmed by laboratory testing.
Source: Press Release, Media Relations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 July 2003

The details given are for information only and may be very provisional. Where incidents are considered of national importance and are ongoing, the initial report will be updated as new information becomes available.