Spectrum of illness in migrants to Canada: sentinel surveillance through CanTravNet.

Background: Due to ongoing political instability and conflict in many parts of the world, migrants are increasingly seeking asylum and refuge in Canada.

Methods: We examined demographic and travel correlates of illnesses among migrants to Canada to establish a detailed epidemiologic framework of this population for Canadian practitioners. Data on ill-returned Canadian travellers presenting to a CanTravNet site between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 were analyzed.

The changing landscape of travel health services in Canada.

Canadians are increasingly travelling to areas that would necessitate a pre-travel consultation. Changes in professional regulations in Canada allow greater autonomy of nurses and pharmacists, resulting in shifts in provision of travel health services. We surveyed 824 Canadian travel clinics, 270 (33%) of whom responded.

Surveillance report of Zika virus among Canadian travellers returning from the Americas.

Background: Widespread transmission of Zika virus in the Americas has occurred since late 2015. We examined demographic and travel-related characteristics of returned Canadian travellers with Zika infection acquired in the Americas to illuminate risk factors for acquisition and the clinical spectrum.

Methods: We analyzed demographic and travel-related data for returned Canadian travellers who presented to a CanTravNet site between October 2015 and September 2016 for care of Zika virus acquired in the Americas.

Malaria in travellers returning or migrating to Canada: surveillance report from CanTravNet surveillance data, 2004-2014.

Background: Malaria remains the most common specific cause of fever in returned travellers and can be life-threatening. We examined demographic and travel correlates of malaria among Canadian travellers and immigrants to identify groups for targeted pretravel intervention.

Methods: Descriptive data on ill returned Canadian travellers and immigrants presenting to a CanTravNet site between 2004 and 2014 with a diagnosis of malaria were analyzed.

Severe malaria in Canada, 2001-2013.

Background: Imported malaria is the principal, preventable, life-threatening infection among Canadians travelling abroad. The Canadian Malaria Network supplies information and parenteral malaria therapy to healthcare providers treating severe and complicated malaria and gathers surveillance information on these cases.

Methods: Data were collected on the characteristics, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of severe malaria cases in Canada from June 2001 to December 2013.

Dermatoses among returned Canadian travellers and immigrants: surveillance report based on CanTravNet data, 2009-2012.

Background: There is a lack of multicentre analyses of the spectrum of dermatologic illnesses acquired by Canadian travellers and immigrants. Our objective for this study was to provide a comprehensive, Canada-specific surveillance summary of travel-related dermatologic conditions in a cohort of returned Canadian travellers and immigrants.

Methods: Data for Canadian travellers and immigrants with a primary dermatologic diagnosis presenting to CanTravNet sites between September 2009 and September 2012 were extracted and analyzed.

Travel-acquired infections and illnesses in Canadians: surveillance report from CanTravNet surveillance data, 2009-2011.

Background: Important knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of migration medicine practice and the impact of pathogens imported by Canadian travellers. We present here a comprehensive, Canada-specific surveillance summary of illness in a cohort of returned Canadian travellers and new immigrants.

Methods: We extracted and analyzed (using standard parametric and nonparametric techniques) data from the Canadian Travel Medicine Network (CanTravNet) database for ill returned Canadian travellers and new immigrants who presented to a Canadian GeoSentinel Surveillance Network site between September 2009 and September 2011.

Reemergence of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in North America, Western Europe, and Australia, 1996-2005.

Purpose: To describe and contextualize changes in rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) notifications in men who have sex with men (MSM) in eight countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States) from 1996-2005.

Methods: We analyzed trends in HIV notification rates from 1996-2000 and 2000-2005 by generalized linear regression and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in rates of HIV notifications. To interpret trends, we visually examined graphs of primary and secondary syphilis reports among MSM and the prevalence of recent HIV testing.

Epidemiology of HIV in the United States and Canada: current status and ongoing challenges.

Purpose: To determine the status of the HIV epidemic in the United States and Canada.

Methods: We used data on AIDS and HIV diagnoses for 1996-2005 reported to the United States and Canadian national surveillance systems to determine trends in AIDS and HIV (33 US states only) diagnoses and to identify population groups most affected by HIV. HIV incidence for Canada was determined using back-calculation methods.

Combining data sources to monitor the HIV epidemic in Canada.

This article describes the methods, results and future perspectives of four information sources used to monitor the HIV epidemic in Canada: AIDS case surveillance, HIV case surveillance, HIV sentinel serosurveillance, and behavioral surveillance. Synthesizing data from these multiple sources provides a more comprehensive picture of the HIV epidemic than any one source alone could provide. In Canada, there has been a shift over time from an epidemic dominated by men who have sex with men to one where more than half of new infections are attributed to other groups, such as injection drug users and non-injecting heterosexuals.