Rabies in an imported dog, Ontario, 2021.

In July 2021, a dog was imported into Canada from Iran and subsequently developed clinical signs of rabies within 11 days of arrival. Following laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of rabies, local, provincial and federal inter-agency collaboration was required to complete contact tracing to identify all persons and domestic animals that may have been exposed to the rabid dog during the potential virus shedding period. This case highlights the risks of importing animals from known canine rabies-endemic areas, identifies gaps in current dog importation policies that pose potential risk to human and animal health and prompts ongoing vigilance for this deadly disease among human and animal health partners, as well as members of the public who adopt imported dogs.

Development of a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Using a Public Health Lens to Determine Local Health Vulnerabilities: An Ontario Health Unit Experience.

Climate change is negatively impacting the health of Canadians and is accordingly expected to have a significant impact on public health agencies and their response to these health impacts throughout the twenty-first century. While national and international research and assessments have explored the potential human health impacts of climate change, few assessments have explored the implications of climate change from a local public health perspective. An applied research approach to expand local knowledge and action of health vulnerabilities through a climate change action plan and vulnerability assessment was utilized by a local public health agency. Adoption and adaptation of the approach used may be valuable for public health organizations to assist their communities. Through completing a vulnerability assessment, an evidentiary base was generated for public health to inform adaptation actions to reduce negative health impacts and increase resiliency. Challenges in completing vulnerability assessments at the local level include the framing and scoping of health impacts and associated indicators, as well as access to internal expertise surrounding the analysis of data. While access to quantitative data may be limiting at the local level, qualitative data can enhance knowledge of local impacts, while also supporting the creation of key partnerships with community stakeholders which can ensure climate action continues beyond the scope of the vulnerability assessment.

Heart disease in childhood: from malformed hearts to the silent impact of unhealthy lifestyles.

Early recognition of congenital heart disease, coupled with the growth and sophistication of diagnostic, medical, and surgical interventions at early ages, has resulted in significantly improved outcomes. However, the cardiovascular impact of the epidemic of childhood obesity and its related disorders now looms as an even greater threat to the health of children.

Halitosis: a review of current literature.

PURPOSE: Halitosis is defined as an unpleasant odor that emanates from the oral cavity with intra-oral and/or extra-oral origins. Fifty percent of people worldwide view themselves as having halitosis, with 90% of the etiology being intra-oral. Dental hygiene practitioners should be knowledgeable about the current classifications, diagnosis and treatment modalities to best meet the needs of patients either self-reporting or diagnosed with this problem. Classification of halitosis, assessment, diagnosis, intra-oral and systemic contributing factors, treatment, management and clinical application are discussed in this review.

Effect of a psychiatric diagnosis on nursing care for nonpsychiatric problems.

This study was designed to test how patients' psychiatric diagnoses would affect nursing care for medical problems. Sixty nurses were randomly assigned to three groups in this posttest-only experiment. Control group nurses read a vignette describing a man admitted with a possible myocardial infarction (MI). Nonpsychotic group nurses also read that the person was on alprazolam. Psychotic group nurses read that the person was on haloperidol, benztropine, lorazepam, trazadone, fluoxetine, and lithium. Psychotic group nurses estimated a decreased probability that the patient was having an MI and were less likely to respond to additional possible MI symptoms. An increased awareness of the potential to stereotype medical patients with a history of psychosis might assist nurses when providing care.

Racial and geographic disparities in timing of bidirectional Glenn and Fontan stages of single-ventricle palliation.

OBJECTIVE: In adults, race-based disparity in access to cardiovascular care has been documented. Racial differences in cardiac care for children have not been evaluated previously. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed timing of single-ventricle palliation as a function of race and geography at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) from 1997-2000. RESULTS: African American children underwent bidirectional Glenn (BDG) at a median age of 11 months (13.8 +/- 10.8, n = 11); white children at five months (5.6 +/- 2.3, n = 29), p = 0.01. African American children underwent Fontan at 60 months (106.8 +/- 84.0, n = 9); white children at 36 months (45.6 +/- 36.0, n = 18), p = 0.005. CONCLUSIONS: African American children at DUMC underwent palliation at a later age and with more variability in age than did white children. Further investigation is needed to determine possible causes of these race-associated differences in health care delivery.