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Active health advisories
As part of AHS’ commitment to the health and safety of Albertans, AHS releases health advisories related to air quality, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), heat, boil water, federal notices, wildfire and flood resources and safety information, food safety news, COVID-19 information, environmental public health orders, public health travel notices and health enforcement notices.
Mpox
On August 14, 2024, the WHO declared the spread of Mpox virus (clade 1b) on the African continent a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHIEC). This strain of Mpox has a higher mortality rate than previous strains identified in Canada. Mpox testing is readily available from the ProvLab in Alberta and can be carried out on the same viral swabs sent for HSV/VZV testing. Mpox cases in Alberta
In 2024, Alberta has recorded seven mpox cases, including two in July and none in August to date. For comparison, in 2022, there were 44 cases and, in 2023, there were three cases. The risk to Albertans remains low.
Albertans 18 and older who meet the eligibility criteria for targeted prevention prior to an exposure can get the mpox vaccine. Learn more about mpox vaccine eligibility.
If you believe you have been in close prolonged contact with someone with mpox or are experiencing mpox symptoms, such as fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes, please self-isolate and call Health Link at 811 or your primary care physician. Many sexual and reproductive health clinics can provide testing for mpox, along with testing for more common infections.
Whooping Cough
Alberta currently has no active pertussis (whooping cough) outbreaks. In 2024, there have been 399 reported cases, with 14 new cases in the last seven days. This number is consistent with the typical annual case count, which usually ranges in the few hundreds, and reflects the cyclical nature of pertussis, which often fluctuates. Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) use the Notifiable Disease Guideline criteria to determine if the number of cases in a specific area exceeds what is normally expected. If so, an outbreak may be declared.
Clinical Indications for Urine Cytopathology
To promote appropriate utilization of lab resources the following changes are being implemented:
- Urine cytopathology (cytology) is indicated to diagnose high grade urothelial carcinoma and should only be ordered when there is a suspicion of bladder cancer. Even when appropriately ordered, a negative result on urine cytology does NOT rule out cancer.
- Urine cytology requests must be accompanied by one of the following indications in the clinical history:
- Gross hematuria
- Persistent microscopic hematuria
- Bladder tumor
- Urine cytology follow up as recommended by urologist, for bladder cancer surveillance.
- As of September 1, 2024, community urine cytology requests with any other history or with no history at all will be rejected.
Questions/Concerns For more information, please see the recent lab bulletin. |
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© 2024 Alberta Medical Association; All rights reserved
The opinions expressed in AMA publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Alberta Medical Association, its Board of Directors or members.
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