Communicable diseases
In accordance with Ontario Regulations 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, certain diseases of public health significance must be reported to the local Medical Officer of Health.
Access reportable communicable diseases to learn what diseases need to be reported and how to report.
Ongoing measles transmission is impacting multiple areas of Ontario, including Peel region. Report suspected cases of measles immediately to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.
Review your patient's immunization record to confirm they and their family members are up to date with measles vaccinations.
For information on immunization recommendations, laboratory testing requirements, and infection prevention and control practices for your clinic, refer to Public Health Ontario's measles information for health care providers. Also access general information about measles.
Support Peel Public Health with measles case and contact management
Peel Public Health contacts all measles cases and contacts directly, including those exposed at medical clinics, to provide counselling and post-exposure prophylaxis as eligible. You can help us by following up with your patients and staff.
Ensure all patient-facing staff have 2 doses of measles containing vaccine or documented serologic immunity. Keep staff and clinician immunization records accessible in case public health requests them. Staff without proof may need to avoid patient-facing work for up to 21 days.
Keep daily patient lists organized and ready to share with public health if needed. Make sure to highlight high-risk patients, such as children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
If you suspect a patient has measles, do not refer them to Peel Public Health multi-service clinics. These clinics do not provide measles testing, and referrals could put clients, healthcare workers, and the public, at risk.
Health professionals are required to report rabies immediately to Peel Public Health. We can also support you with risk assessment and post-exposure prophylaxis if your patient has been exposed to an animal that has or may have rabies.
Email Peel Public Health or call at 905-799-7700, Caledon 905-584-2216.
For additional information, refer to animals and rabies including what it is, what to do if you’ve been bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies.
Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Peel Public Health is required to investigate all reports of suspected and confirmed outbreaks. Access a report of outbreaks at health care institutions in Peel.
- Test information for respiratory viruses (including influenza) – Public Health Ontario
- Influenza resources: antivirals, coverages rates – Public Health Ontario
- Respiratory virus report – Peel Public Health
Patient information
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) medications
Health care providers in Peel Region can order free medications to treat chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in patients. Complete the appropriate form and fax to the number indicated on the form:
- Bicillin order form for community physicians - You will need to save the file and open it in Acrobat Reader and not through the browser.
- Bicillin order form for bulk ordering
- STI medication and condom order form
Ceftriaxone reconstitution instructions for the treatment of gonorrhea.
For any questions regarding STI medication distribution call us at 905-799-7700, Caledon 905-584-2216.
Guidelines
- Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) - Public Health Ontario
- Summary of recommendations: Ontario gonorrhea testing and treatment
- Ontario HIV testing guidelines for providers
- Ontario cervical screening cytology (pap test) guidelines
For your patients:
- Peel Public Health healthy sexuality clinics provide counselling, information, testing, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, birth control, and other sexual health services.
- Sexual health resources
Find information about ordering vaccines and medication, reporting cases, clinic referrals, diagnostic tests, and TB in long term care and retirement homes. Access Tuberculosis: for health professionals.
- Botulism guide for health professionals from the Ministry of Health, Public Health Division
- Lyme disease
- Lyme disease diagnostic algorithm for clinicians - print resource
- West Nile Virus - including surveillance updates on positive West Nile Virus activity in Peel.
- Infectious diseases from Public Health Ontario including blood borne infections, sexually transmitted infections, and other diseases that are enteric and food-borne, respiratory, vaccine preventable, vector-borne, and zoonotic.