S. O’Brien, S. Drews, A. Lewin, C. Osiowy, M. Drebot, C. Renaud
{"title":"Canadian blood suppliers: An expanding role in public health surveillance?","authors":"S. O’Brien, S. Drews, A. Lewin, C. Osiowy, M. Drebot, C. Renaud","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a02","url":null,"abstract":"The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic galvanized blood donor seroprevalence studies, which continue to inform public health policy. We propose that the two Canadian blood suppliers, Héma-Québec and Canadian Blood Services, expand their role in public health surveillance in the post-pandemic period. Together blood suppliers have near-national reach, collecting blood donations nearly every day in all larger cities and many smaller municipalities. Blood donors are a healthy subset of the general population. Demographic data, routine infectious disease testing and screening questionnaire data are collected for all donations. Close to one million blood samples per year could be made available for surveillance. With 90% repeat donors, longitudinal sampling is possible. Current blood donor surveillance includes monitoring infectious marker rates in low risk (e.g. HIV, hepatitis C virus) or asymptomatic (e.g. West Nile virus) populations, and ad hoc studies to monitor transfusion-transmissible infections. These include tick-borne infections such as Babesia microti and foodborne infections such as hepatitis E. Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec are actively seeking to engage with public health professionals to further develop a role in public health surveillance.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"16 1","pages":"124-130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75061342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N. Ndubuka, Sabyasachi Gupta, Rim Zayed, Brian Quinn, M. Khaketla, Elaine Chan, Kristyn Franklin, Erin McGill
{"title":"Multijurisdictional outbreak of COVID-19 associated with a wake/funeral event in a northern Saskatchewan First Nations community.","authors":"N. Ndubuka, Sabyasachi Gupta, Rim Zayed, Brian Quinn, M. Khaketla, Elaine Chan, Kristyn Franklin, Erin McGill","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a04","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000Sixty-eight laboratory-confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (12 in Alberta [AB], 56 in Saskatchewan [SK]) were linked to a gathering at a hospital in Alberta on June 1-4, 2020, and a wake/funeral in a First Nations community in northern Saskatchewan on June 9-11, 2020.\u0000\u0000\u0000Objective\u0000The objectives were to provide a comprehensive description of the epidemiology of the outbreak and describe the chains of transmission to inform the hypothesis that there were multiple introductions of COVID-19 at the wake/funeral.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000Case investigation and contact tracing was conducted by local public health in AB and SK. The Public Health Agency of Canada conducted a centralized case analysis. An epidemic curve and a Gantt chart for period of communicability were created to support or refute whether there had been multiple introductions of COVID-19 at the wake/funeral.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Illness onset dates ranged from May 31 to July 1, 2020. Ages ranged from 2 to 80 years (median age=43 years). Five cases were hospitalized; there were no deaths. The available case exposure information supports the hypothesis that there had been multiple introductions of COVID-19 at the wake/funeral. Public health authorities in AB and SK declared the outbreak over on July 20, 2020; based on two incubation periods (i.e. 28 days) following the illness onset of the last primary case.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000During multijurisdictional outbreaks, data sharing, coordination across health authorities and centralized analysis is essential to understanding the events that lead to the outbreak and possible hypotheses around chains of transmission.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"7 1","pages":"140-145"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89124505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
É. Fortin, P. De Wals, D. Talbot, M. Ouakki, G. Deceuninck, C. Sauvageau, R. Gilca, Marilou Kiely, G. De Serres
{"title":"Impact of the first vaccine dose on COVID-19 and its complications in long-term care facilities and private residences for seniors in Québec, Canada.","authors":"É. Fortin, P. De Wals, D. Talbot, M. Ouakki, G. Deceuninck, C. Sauvageau, R. Gilca, Marilou Kiely, G. De Serres","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a07","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and private residences for seniors (PRSs) were given priority for vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given the shortage of vaccine in the winter of 2021, the Comité sur l'immunisation du Québec recommended postponing the administration of second doses to ensure more rapid and widespread administration of first doses. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of first-dose vaccination on 1) the incidence of cases and complications in LTCFs and PRSs and 2) the frequency of outbreaks in LTCFs.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000In this ecological study, COVID-19 incidence and complications in residents of LTCFs and PRSs in Québec were compared with the general (community) population at a point in time when there was still only limited eligibility for vaccination.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000After vaccination in LTCFs, the incidence rate of COVID-19 decreased by 92% compared with 49% in the community, and deaths decreased by 95%. By six weeks post-vaccination, almost no facility reported five or more cases per 100 beds per week. The incidence rate decreased by 91% in PRSs compared with 2% in the community. Hospitalizations and deaths in PRSs decreased by 94% and 90%, respectively.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000As a result of 1) vaccination of residents with one dose, 2) natural immunity already acquired in LTCFs and PRSs, 3) vaccination of healthcare workers and 4) other non-pharmaceutical prevention measures implemented, the circulation of the coronavirus in these settings was largely interrupted.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"21 1","pages":"164-169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89490852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Supporting health equity for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.","authors":"M. Greenwood, D. Atkinson, J. Sutherland","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a01","url":null,"abstract":"The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) is unique among the National Collaborating Centres as the only centre focused on the health of a population. In this fifth article of the Canada Communicable Disease Report's series on the National Collaborating Centres and their contribution to Canada's public health response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we describe the work of the NCCIH. We begin with a brief overview of the NCCIH's mandate and priority areas, describing how it works, who it serves and how it has remained flexible and responsive to evolving Indigenous public health needs. Key knowledge translation and exchange activities undertaken by the NCCIH to address COVID-19 misinformation and to support the timely use of Indigenous-informed evidence and knowledge in public health decision-making during the pandemic are also discussed, with a focus on acting on lessons learned moving forward.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"95 1","pages":"119-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88618258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kathleen Lydon-Hassen, L. Jonah, Lisa Mayotte, Ashley Hrabowy, B. Graham, Beverley Missens, A. Nelson, M. Andkhoie, Deana Nahachewsky, D. Yalamanchili, Sabyasachi Gupta, N. Ndubuka, I. Khan, W. Yacoub, M. Bryson, D. Paquette
{"title":"Summary findings from Tracks surveys implemented by First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, 2018-2020.","authors":"Kathleen Lydon-Hassen, L. Jonah, Lisa Mayotte, Ashley Hrabowy, B. Graham, Beverley Missens, A. Nelson, M. Andkhoie, Deana Nahachewsky, D. Yalamanchili, Sabyasachi Gupta, N. Ndubuka, I. Khan, W. Yacoub, M. Bryson, D. Paquette","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a05","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000The Public Health Agency of Canada's integrated bio-behavioural surveillance system-Tracks surveys-assesses the burden of HIV, hepatitis C and associated risks in key populations in Canada. From 2018-2020, Tracks surveys were successfully implemented by First Nations Health Services Organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000First Nations-led survey teams invited community members who identified as First Nations, Inuit or Métis to participate in Tracks surveys and testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. Information was collected on social determinants of health, use of prevention services, substance use, sexual behaviours and care for HIV and hepatitis C. Descriptive statistics are presented.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Of the 1,828 survey participants, 97.4% self-identified as First Nations and 91.4% lived in an on-reserve community. Over half (52.2%) were cisgender female, average age was 36.3 years, 82.5% lived in stable housing, 82% had access to primary healthcare and 73.8% reported having good to excellent mental health. Most participants (97%) had a family member who had experienced residential school. High proportions experienced stigma and discrimination (65.6%), financial strain (64.3%) and abuse in childhood (65.1%). Testing for HIV (62.8%) and hepatitis C (55.3%) was relatively high. Prevalence of HIV was 1.6% (of whom 64% knew their infection status). Hepatitis C ribonucleic acid prevalence was 5% (44.9% of whom knew their current infection status).\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Historical and ongoing experiences of trauma, and higher prevalence of hepatitis C were identified, reaffirming evidence of the ongoing legacies of colonialism, Indian Residential Schools and systemic racism. High participation in sexually transmitted blood-borne infection testing and prevention reflect the importance of First Nations-led culturally sensitive, safe and responsive healthcare services and programs to effect improved outcomes for First Nations peoples.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"24 1","pages":"146-156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78600472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sabrina Wong, Shanika Rajapakshe, D. Barber, A. Patey, W. Levinson, R. Morkem, Gillian Hurwitz, Kimberly Wintermute, J. Leis
{"title":"Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infection across a national primary care network in 2019.","authors":"Sabrina Wong, Shanika Rajapakshe, D. Barber, A. Patey, W. Levinson, R. Morkem, Gillian Hurwitz, Kimberly Wintermute, J. Leis","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i04a06","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000Respiratory tract infection (RTI) is the leading reason for avoidable antimicrobial use in primary care, yet provider-level feedback on its use is only available in some provinces. The aim of this study was to validate case definitions for RTI across the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) and determine baseline provider-level variability in antimicrobial prescribing in 2019.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000The RTI case definitions were developed using demographic, diagnostic coding and keywords in electronic medical record. Manual chart abstraction was performed to identify cases of acute otitis media. Remaining RTI definitions were validated using a random sample of 5,164 patients with encounters in 2019. The proportion of patients with an RTI treated with antibiotics was determined by provider, per patient, per episode and per patient encounter.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Negative predictive value, positive predictive value and prevalence were as follows: 1.00 (0.99-1.00), 0.99 (0.96-0.99) and 4.14% (4.10-4.19) for common cold; 1.00 (0.99-1.00), 0.94 (0.88-0.98) and 1.09% (1.07-1.12) for acute otitis media; 0.98 (0.96-1.00), 0.93 (0.87-0.97) and 1.2% (1.18-1.22) for acute pharyngitis; 0.99 (0.99-1.00), 0.88 (0.81-0.93) and 1.99% (1.96-2.02) for sinusitis; 0.99 (0.97-0.99), 0.95 (0.89-0.98) and 4.01% (3.97-4.05) for acute bronchitis/asthma. By provider, median (interquartile range [IQR]) proportion treated with antibiotics (per patient) was 6.72 (14.92) for common cold, 64.29 (40.00) for acute otitis media, 20.00 (38.89) for pharyngitis, 54.17 (38.09) for sinusitis, 8.33 (20.00) for acute bronchitis/asthma and 21.10 (20.56) for overall RTI.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000The CPCSSN can provide national surveillance of antimicrobial prescribing practices for RTI across primary care. Baseline variability underscores the need for provider feedback and quality improvement.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"45 1","pages":"157-163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80691649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring management of antenatally diagnosed fetal syphilis infection.","authors":"M. Rosenthal, V. Poliquin","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a09","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a09","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000The incidence of syphilis among Canadian women of childbearing age has risen dramatically in the past decade, with a resurgence of infants born with congenital syphilis. While guidelines exist to guide maternal infection during pregnancy, there is little evidence available to guide management in situations where the developing fetus is found to be severely affected.\u0000\u0000\u0000Case review\u0000Our patient presented in the second trimester of her pregnancy as syphilis contact. Positive serologic tests (venereal disease research laboratory titre of 1:64) and a chancre suggested primary infection. Ultrasound demonstrated a fetus at 19+3 weeks gestation with hydrops fetalis and a markedly abnormal brain. Amniocentesis confirmed congenital syphilis infection on polymerase chain reaction testing. After nine days of intravenous penicillin G, the fetal status had worsened, and the family ultimately chose a medical termination of the pregnancy.\u0000\u0000\u0000Discussion\u0000Evolving ultrasound technology has allowed us to identify severely affected fetuses, who may historically have been delivered stillborn. Following routine syphiliotherapy with benzathine penicillin, these abnormal ultrasound features may take weeks or months to reverse, which poses a challenge in prognostication and counselling. Case reports data suggests intensive treatment with intravenous penicillin may be effective in severe cases where fetal hydrops is present.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000This case highlights the potential morbidity of fetal syphilis infection and underscores the paucity of current literature. Information sharing will be essential to build a modern knowledge base on treating this ancient disease.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"13 1","pages":"111-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81603821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Delayed diagnosis of maternal and congenital syphilis: An unrecognized epidemic?","authors":"Zachary Dionisopoulos, F. Kakkar, A. Blanchard","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i23a10","url":null,"abstract":"Syphilis is an infection caused by Treponema pallidum spirochetes. The diagnosis of this sexually transmitted disease may be missed, partly due to the painless nature of genital ulcers in its primary stage. Women in Canada are screened for syphilis in their first trimester of pregnancy, but late pregnancy testing is not done in all provinces to date; therefore, undetected vertical transmission of syphilis may occur. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing congenital syphilis in infants and young children with unexplained growth problems and biochemical and hematological abnormalities. Congenital syphilis remains a rare diagnosis, but in the context of increased syphilis rates in Canada during recent years, clinicians should consider this diagnosis in infants presenting with compatible clinical manifestations.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"221 1","pages":"115-118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79889900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Courtney Smith, Allison Griffiths, Sandra Allison, D. Hoyano, L. Hoang
{"title":"Escherichia coli O103 outbreak associated with minced celery among hospitalized individuals in Victoria, British Columbia, 2021.","authors":"Courtney Smith, Allison Griffiths, Sandra Allison, D. Hoyano, L. Hoang","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a07","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000In April 2021, a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) (STEC) O103 outbreak was identified among patients at two hospitals in Victoria, British Columbia (BC). The objective of this study is to describe this outbreak investigation and identify issues of food safety for high-risk products prepared for vulnerable populations.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000Confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were reported to the Island Health communicable disease unit. The provincial public health laboratory conducted whole genome sequencing on confirmed case isolates, as per routine practice for STEC in BC. Exposure information was obtained through case interviews and review of hospital menus. Federal and local public health authorities conducted an inspection of the processing plant for the suspect source.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000Six confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were identified, all related by whole genome sequencing. The majority of cases were female (67%) and the median age was 61 years (range 24-87 years). All confirmed cases were inpatients or outpatients at two hospitals and were exposed to raw minced celery within prepared sandwiches provided by hospital food services. A local processor supplied the minced celery exclusively to the two hospitals. Testing of product at the processor was infrequent, and chlorine rinse occurred before mincing. The spread of residual E. coli contamination through the mincing process, in addition to temperature abuse at the hospitals, are thought to have contributed to this outbreak.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Raw vegetables, such as celery, are a potential source of STEC and present a risk to vulnerable populations. Recommendations from this outbreak include more frequent testing at the processor, a review of the chlorination and mincing process and a review of hospital food services practices to mitigate temperature abuse.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"25 1","pages":"46-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79664196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cher Ghafari, M. Benusic, N. Prystajecky, H. Sbihi, Kimia Kamelian, L. Hoang
{"title":"Epidemiological analysis of the emergence and disappearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Kappa variant within a region of British Columbia, Canada.","authors":"Cher Ghafari, M. Benusic, N. Prystajecky, H. Sbihi, Kimia Kamelian, L. Hoang","doi":"10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i01a04","url":null,"abstract":"Background\u0000The Kappa variant is designated as a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of interest (VOI). We identified 195 Kappa variant cases in a region of British Columbia, Canada-the largest published cluster in North America.\u0000\u0000\u0000Objectives\u0000To describe the epidemiology of the Kappa variant in relation to other circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in the region to determine if the epidemiology of the Kappa variant supports a VOI or VOC status.\u0000\u0000\u0000Methods\u0000Clinical specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 collected between March 10 and May 2, 2021, were screened for the detection of known circulating VOCs; approximately 50% of specimens were subsequently selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS). Epidemiological analysis was performed comparing the characteristics of Kappa cases to the main circulating variants in the region (Alpha and Gamma) and to non-VOC/VOI cases.\u0000\u0000\u0000Results\u0000A total of 2,079 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were reported in the region during the study period, of which 54% were selected for WGS. The 1,131 sequenced cases were categorized into Kappa, Alpha, Gamma and non-VOC/VOI. While Alpha and Gamma cases were found to have a significantly higher attack rate among household contacts compared to non-VOI/VOC cases, Kappa was not.\u0000\u0000\u0000Conclusion\u0000Epidemiological analysis supports the designation of Kappa as a VOI and not a VOC. The Alpha and Gamma variants were found to be more transmissible, explaining their subsequent dominance in the region and the rapid disappearance of the Kappa variant. Variant surveillance strategies should focus on both detection of established VOCs and detection of potential new VOCs.","PeriodicalId":94304,"journal":{"name":"Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada","volume":"2013 1","pages":"22-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86488944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}