National

Wastewater testing expanding to monkeypox: Tam

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Aug, 2022 10:41 AM

OTTAWA - Canada's chief public health officer says plans are underway to sift through Canadian sewage to test for and measure new health threats like monkeypox and polio.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic wastewater detection became a key way to track the spread of the virus.

Dr. Theresa Tam says the experts at the National Microbiology Lab have now discovered a promising approach to detect monkeypox in wastewater and will use the infrastructure developed during the pandemic look for it.

Reminder health care providers📣: #Monkeypox virus can infect anyone via close contact with a case/contaminated objects no matter their sex, race, gender or sexual orientation. Atypical presentations may occur, learn what’s unique to the 2022 outbreak:https://t.co/5sTvh1TJx6
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) August 12, 2022

How that monitoring fits into the Public Health Agency of Canada surveillance efforts on monkeypox is not yet clear.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also intends to start testing for polio as soon as possible after United States health officials say they found the polio virus in New York City's wastewater.

Tam says wastewater detection is still imperfect but there' is a lot of innovation happening now and the public health agency is looking for the best method to help standardize the process in Canada.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

COVID research platform to focus on Canadian youth

The federal government is investing $6.7 million on a Canada-wide research platform to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on children. Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters today in Montreal the platform will involve researchers at 16 Canadian institutions.

COVID research platform to focus on Canadian youth

Expect more interest rate hikes, Macklem says

Two weeks ago the central bank raised its key interest rate a half point to one per cent and warned more rate hikes would be coming as it works toward an inflation target of two per cent.

Expect more interest rate hikes, Macklem says

Low vaccine rate fuelling pandemic: GAVI, UNICEF

Seth Berkley, the head of GAVI, says while countries such as a Canada are offering fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines with vaccination rates above 80 per cent of its population, the global rate is just 59 per cent. He says in the poorest 18 countries less than 10 per cent of people are fully vaccinated.

Low vaccine rate fuelling pandemic: GAVI, UNICEF

Multiple gunshots fired at a North Vancouver home

The vehicle, which is described as a newer model white Toyota Rav 4, was last seen northbound on Moody Ave. from East 11th Street. Police are appealing for anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage that may have captured the incident or the vehicle, to contact them.

Multiple gunshots fired at a North Vancouver home

Unvaccinated increase risk for vaccinated: study

The research published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that vaccinated people who mix with those who are not vaccinated have a significantly greater chance of being infected than those who stick with people who have received the shot.

Unvaccinated increase risk for vaccinated: study

Military not addressing extremism in ranks: Report

The report released by Defence Minister Anita Anand this morning also takes the military to task for not doing enough to address racism and discrimination over the past two decades.