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General Description Whooping cough is a respiratory illness caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The disease is only found in humans. The bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system and release toxins (poisons), which damage the cilia and cause airways to swell. Whooping cough may begin like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. Significance Pertussis is endemic worldwide and occurs all year round, even in regions with high vaccination coverage. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that

Norovirus General Information Norovirus is a very contagious virus that is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis. It is sometimes called the "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug." However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu (the flu is caused by the influenza virus). Worldwide, norovirus is the cause of about 1 out of every 5 cases of acute gastroenteritis that lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Transmission Norovirus is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route by direct person to person contact and contact with contaminated food, water or surfaces. You are most contagious when

General Information Mumps is a contagious viral infection caused by the mumps virus. The mumps virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae. This family consists of three genera: Paramyxovirus, which includes the parainfluenza viruses and mumps virus; Pneumovirus, which includes respiratory syncytial virus; and Morbillivirus, which includes the measles virus. All paramyxoviruses are enveloped particles 150 to 300 nm in diameter.  Before the mumps vaccination became routine in North America, it was a well-known common childhood disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands, one of three pairs of saliva-producing (salivary) glands, situated below and in front the ears. Complications of mumps,

General Information Coronaviruses are common viruses that most people are infected with during their lifetime. These viruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, and are responsible for approximately one in every three cases of the common cold. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS‐CoV).  MERS-CoV is from the same large family of viruses that includes the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus. Both viruses are capable of causing severe disease. The virus has caused severe illness and death in people from several

General Information Staphylococcus aureus is Gram-positive cocci that are the common cause of skin infections in the community. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. Severe or potentially life-threatening infections occur most frequently among patients in healthcare settings. While 25% to 30% of people are colonized* with staph, less than 2% are colonized with it. *When a person carries the organism/bacteria but shows no clinical signs or symptoms of infection. For S. aureus, the most common body site colonized

General Information Klebsiella [kleb−see−ell−uh] is a Gram-negative bacteria (bacillus) that can cause different types of healthcare-associated infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections (SSI), and meningitis. This organism is normally found (normal flora) in the human intestines and is usually excreted in human stool. In healthcare settings, these infections commonly occur among sick patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions. Patients whose care requires devices like ventilators or intravenous catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk for infections. Healthy people usually do not get these infections. Transmission In healthcare settings,

General Information Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and may lead to death. Older people, young children, and people with certain comorbidities, such as asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney diseases, are at high risk for serious complications. The influenza virus can infect many different species including ducks, chickens, pigs, horses, whales, and seals. Animals, like pigs, can also be infected by human and bird influenza viruses, which can lead to genetic mixing. Most animal flu viruses will not infect humans, this is a rare occurrence.  For

General Information Enteroviruses are a family of viruses that include polioviruses (viruses that cause polio) along with other non-polioviruses such as coxsackieviruses and echoviruses. Non-polio enteroviruses are very common, (there are over 60 types of non-polioviruses) and are estimated to cause 10 – 15 million infections in the United States each year. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many non-polio enteroviruses. This virus was first identified in California in 1962. Only the common cold (rhinovirus – also part of this viral Family) is a more common viral infection. Anyone can get infected with non-polio enteroviruses, but infants, children and

General Information Ebola virus disease (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a disease caused by the Ebola Virus, an enveloped virus. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare and deadly disease in people and nonhuman primates. The viruses that cause EVD are located mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. People can get EVD through direct contact with an infected animal (bat or nonhuman primate) or a sick or deceased person infected with Ebola virus. Symptoms When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. Symptoms of EVD include fever, severe headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea,

COVID-19 General Information COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus disease 2019) is a respiratory viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.1 The virus created a worldwide pandemic, beginning in March 2020. As with any novel (new) infectious disease, medical and scientific communities continue to learn more about COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 virus every day. Information and knowledge related to COVID-19 is constantly changing and should be validated by reliable public health organizations such the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Canada and the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Since its initial identification, SARS CoV-2 has changed and evolved