PHO Webinar: Measles Update for Clinicians and Public Health

In Ontario, measles has been rare, owing to the successful elimination of measles in Canada due to high immunization coverage. Increased measles activity is occurring globally due to travel and low vaccination rates, including in Ontario, where there have been increased reports of infectious travel-associated measles cases in 2024.

This session will provide an update on measles in Ontario including an overview of updated resources and guidance and common questions from the field. This will include the following topics: immunization recommendations, contact management and considerations for post exposure prophylaxis, updated IPAC recommendations for HCWs providing care for patients with suspect or confirmed measles and laboratory testing and interpretation.

Intended audience: Public health units, primary healthcare providers, acute care, long term care, congregate living settings

Note: For the best live experience, please ensure you are using a current version of Zoom (5.15.7 or higher) in Chrome or another modern browser to support interactive features.

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

• Describe the epidemiology of measles in Ontario and globally
• Discuss case and contact management for measles, including post-exposure prophylaxis
• Identify IPAC recommendations, including PPE, for HCWs providing care for patients with suspect or confirmed measles
• Understand measles diagnostic testing and interpretation of results
• Locate available key resources and guidance

About the presenters: Sarah Wilson, Maureen Cividino, Maan Hasso

Sarah Wilson, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, is a public health physician at Public Health Ontario working with the Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases team, supporting surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, immunization coverage, vaccine safety and outbreak management. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and a Senior Adjunct Scientist at ICES. She is also a member of Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization and a current member of NACI’s measles working group.

Maan Hasso, MD, FRCPC, is a medical microbiologist at Public Health Ontario and leads the viral detection and molecular diagnostic portfolio. He completed his medical degree as well as a Master’s degree in medical microbiology from Baghdad University in Iraq. In 2020 he graduated from the medical microbiology residency and fellowship program in the Department of Laboratory and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, and completed the certificate in Medical Microbiology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Maureen Cividino, MD, FCFP, CCBOM, CIC, is an IPAC Physician with Public Health Ontario and occupational physician in acute care. She has a diploma in Occupational Health & Safety and maintains certification with the Canadian College of Family Practice, the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine and Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

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.

Information collected by Public Health Ontario (PHO) in this event is for the purpose of administering the event. This information is collected under PHO’s authority as articulated in the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act. The information you provide on this registration form is voluntary. If you have any questions about this event, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

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This event will be recorded. A copy of the recording will be published to PHO’s website to facilitate education and knowledge transfer.

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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.