Economic Burden of West Nile Virus Disease, Quebec, Canada, 2012-2013.

The economic burden of West Nile virus (WNV) infection is not known for Canada. We sought to describe the direct and indirect costs of WNV infection in the province of Quebec, Canada, up to 2 years after onset of signs and symptoms. We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included WNV cases reported during 2012 and 2013.

Morbidity, mortality and long-term sequelae of West Nile virus disease in Québec.

We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of West Nile patients reported in Québec in 2012 and 2013 and to document physical, mental and functional status 24 months after symptom onset according to illness severity. The cases were recruited by a public health professional. Data were collected from public health files, medical records and two standardised phone questionnaires: the Short Form-36 and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.

Management of a hospital outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii using a multimodal intervention including daily chlorhexidine baths.

Background: Extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDR-Ab) is an increasingly important cause of healthcare-associated infection. Uncertainties remain concerning optimal control measures for healthcare-associated outbreaks.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology and control of an XDR-Ab outbreak that involved multiple units of a large hospital from March 2012 to January 2014.

Sleep deprivation does not mimic alcohol intoxication on field sobriety testing.

Previous research shows that sleep deprivation (SD) produces cognitive impairment similar to that caused by alcohol intoxication. Individual studies suggest that SD also causes deficits in motor skills that could be mistaken for intoxication. Consequently, SD often is used as a defense when an impaired driver is charged with driving while intoxicated.

Diabetes and the severity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Objective: To confirm the existence of an increased risk of complications from influenza A (H1N1)p among patients with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Using data from an enhanced influenza surveillance project in Montreal, Canada, and age/sex-specific population estimates of diabetes prevalence, we estimated the risk of hospitalization among persons with diabetes. Comparing hospitalized patients admitted or not to an intensive care unit (ICU), we estimated the risk of ICU admission associated with diabetes, controlling for other patient characteristics.