Spatiotemporal epidemiology of substance-related accidental acute toxicity deaths in Canada from 2016 to 2017.

Objectives: In Canada, substance-related accidental acute toxicity deaths (AATDs) continue to rise at the national and sub-national levels. However, it is unknown if, where, when, and to what degree AATDs cluster in space, time, and space-time across the country. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess for clusters of AATDs that occurred in Canada during 2016 and 2017 at the national and provincial/territorial (P/T) levels, and 2) examine the substance types detected in AATD cases within each cluster.

Using death investigation data to better understand the overdose crisis.

The collection of articles in this theme series of the journal presents results from a national chart review study of the death investigation files of people who died of acute toxicity in Canada between 2016 and 2017. This study endeavoured to better understand the characteristics of the people who died, the circumstances of their deaths and the substances involved. While information about the study and some of its findings have previously been published, we would like to share more about how the study came to be, the people involved and the value of collaborative efforts between coroners, medical examiners and public health practitioners.

Exploring the contextual risk factors and characteristics of individuals who died from the acute toxic effects of opioids and other illegal substances: listening to the coroner and medical examiner voice.

Introduction: Substance-related acute toxicity deaths continue to be a serious public health concern in Canada. This study explored coroner and medical examiner (C/ME)perspectives of contextual risk factors and characteristics associated with deaths from acute toxic effects of opioids and other illegal substances in Canada.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 36 C/MEs in eight provinces and territories between December 2017 and February 2018.

Low levels of detectable pertussis antibody among a large cohort of pregnant women in Canada.

Newborns and infants less than 6 months of age continue to be at highest risk of severe outcomes from pertussis infection. Pertussis vaccination during the last trimester of pregnancy can confer protection to newborns as a result of trans-placental transfer of pertussis antibodies. In several countries, pertussis vaccination in pregnancy is recommended routinely and Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization issued similar routine recommendations in February 2018.

Seroprevalence of rubella antibodies and determinants of susceptibility to rubella in a cohort of pregnant women in Canada, 2008-2011.

Long term control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome relies on high population-level immunity against rubella, particularly among women of childbearing age. In Canada, all pregnant women should be screened so that susceptible new mothers can be offered vaccination for rubella before discharge. This study was undertaken to estimate rubella susceptibility in a cohort of pregnant women in Canada and to identify associated socio-economic and demographic factors.

Laboratory characterization of invasive Haemophilus influenzae isolates from Nunavut, Canada, 2000-2012.

Background: With invasive Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) disease controlled by vaccination with conjugate Hib vaccines, there is concern that invasive disease due to non-serotype b strains may emerge.

Objective: This study characterized invasive H. influenzae (Hi) isolates from Nunavut, Canada, in the post-Hib vaccine era.

The epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease in the Canadian North from 1999 to 2010.

Introduction: The International Circumpolar Surveillance network is a population-based surveillance system that collects data on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Northern Canada. A 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was first introduced in some regions of Northern Canada in 2002, followed by 10-valent (2009) and 13-valent (PCV-13) vaccines (2010). A 23-valent polysaccharide (PPV-23) vaccine was first introduced in 1988 for special populations and adults aged 65 years and older.

The epidemiology of invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae serotype a in the Canadian North from 2000 to 2010.

Introduction: The International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) project is a population-based surveillance network. Since 2000, Canada has participated in the ICS Invasive Bacterial Disease Working Group's surveillance of invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae (Hi).

Methods: A standardized case report form containing demographic and clinical information was completed for all reported Hi cases in the study regions.