Nobel Prizes in Medicine
Three scientists from Ireland, Japan and China won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discovering drugs against malaria and other parasitic diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people every year. The Nobel judges in Stockholm awarded the prestigious prize to Irish-born William Campbell, Satoshi Omura of Japan and Tu Youyou — the first-ever Chinese medicine laureate. Campbell and Omura were cited for discovering avermectin, derivatives of which have helped...
Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Infection in 2 Travelers Returning from China to Canada, January 2015
In January 2015, the first two human infections due to avian influenza A(H7N9) were detected in North America, reported among two travelers returning from China to British Columbia, Canada. The patients presented with typical influenza-like illness. They were detected in the outpatient setting through a series of somewhat fortuitous events – notably the collection of a specimen by the healthcare worker in response to travel history and the detection of a...
B.C. research uncovers links to asthma; Fecal samples taken from hundreds of infants reveal missing bugs
Vancouver-based researchers have identified four strains of bacteria that they believe babies need in their digestive tract to prevent asthma, opening up the possibility of a preventive treatment. The work published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine fleshes out recent studies pointing toward the importance of a wide variety of bacteria in the human gut - known collectively as microbiota - for goodhealth. It's the first time specific bacteria have been linked...
BC Influenza Surveillance Bulletin: Sporadic Influenza Activity throughout Summer in BC
BC Influenza Surveillance Bulletin: Weeks 18-36 (May 3 - Sept 12, 2015) Back-to-School Update: Sporadic Influenza Activity throughout Summer in BC In weeks 18-36 (May 3 to September 12, 2015), community-based surveillance indicators for influenza remained at inter-seasonal levels throughout the province. However, sporadic cases of influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B continued to be detected, driven in part by cases among out-of-province residents associated with cruise ship travel. Also, in week 32, VCHA reported...
Emerging Respiratory Virus Update
From BCCDC: With the annual Hajj approaching (September 21-26) and as we enter the regular autumn respiratory virus surveillance period, below is an update on recent trends in emerging respiratory viruses globally, including MERS-CoV and novel avian influenza A viruses. For our most recent seasonal influenza bulletin for BC (report no. 22, also posted on-line today), see: http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/DiseaseStatsReports/influSurveillanceReports.htm 1. SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS MERS-CoV While the number of MERS-CoV cases associated with the May-June nosocomial outbreak in...
BCCDC puts call out for more doctors and nurses to help monitor for flu
Vancouver – Experts at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) are already gearing up to monitor flu-like illness for the coming season and they’re looking for more community doctors and nurses to help. Influenza viruses constantly change, and each season the flu shot has to be updated to match the new strains that are most likely to make people sick. Last year, influenza got off to an early start and...
PICNet welcomes Linda Hoang
Dr. Linda Hoang has joined PICNet as Medical Co-Lead, following the retirement of Dr. Judy Isaac-Renton. This medical leadership position is a shared position with Dr. Elizabeth Bryce to lead and deliver the strategic goals of PICNet. Linda is the Program Head of the Public Health Advanced Bacteriology & Mycology for the BC Public Health Microbiology & Reference Laboratory, which is part of the BC Centre for Disease Control. She is...