An increase in serious illnesses caused by group A Streptococcus has recently made Strep A a growing concern in Canada and elsewhere. Here’s why and how it’s spreading, and what symptoms to look for.
Health workers who picked their noses were more likely to contract COVID, according to a new study. But here’s what the study means for the rest of us.
Husna Ismail, National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Olga Perovic, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
In hospitals, infection prevention and control cannot be met without a hygienically clean, and safe environment that has an adequate supply of clean running water.
We’ve learned much from large COVID outbreaks linked to the Ruby Princess and Diamond Princess cruise ships early in the pandemic. But there’s still some way to go.
With the goal of ‘business as usual’, politicians will continue to reduce COVID protections without immediate consequence while transmission is low. But then the next wave will come.
Before COVID-19, clean water, antibiotics and vaccines had made us complacent about infectious disease. Infection control can no longer be taken for granted. We must be prepared for future pandemics.
After two years of COVID-19, it’s understandable that many people are weary of infection prevention measures. But simply being tired of the pandemic is no reason to let our guard down.
There are no COVID-specific protocols for forensic officers collecting evidence from crime scenes. New recommendations suggest how teams and their equipment can be reorganised to minimise the risk.
We can do better than building a village of glorified dongas. Smart quarantine can be much higher-tech, and more adaptable for future uses once the pandemic is over.
Health workers have long called for better protections against COVID-19. Well fitting masks are now required when caring for COVID-19 patients. But the guidelines on ventilation miss the mark.
A deep clean involves cleaning objects or surfaces that may not be routinely cleaned, such as walls, ventilation ducts, curtains, carpets, and hard-to-reach places.