Infectious Disease Prevention & Control for Health Care Professionals
Evidence-Based Strategies
Lambton Public Health provides practical, evidence-based measures that prevent and contain the spread of infectious diseases.
Notify Us of a Suspected/Confirmed Reportable Disease
Review the comprehensive list of Reportable Diseases of Public Health Significance for reporting timelines.
If you suspect or have laboratory confirmation of any of the diseases of Public Health Significance or their etiologic agents, report it immediately:
Call: 519-383-8331 or 1-800-667-1839
Fax: 519-383-7092
Please call for any assistance or queries related to reporting.
Infectious Diseases
Stay informed for each reportable disease with the latest Infectious Diseases Protocols, including case definitions and detailed disease-specific information.
Infectious Diseases List
Looking for more information about a specific infectious disease? Check out the Infectious Diseases List provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Travel Health Notices
View recent Travel Health Notices to stay informed about potential health risks and effective ways to mitigate them when traveling.
COVID-19
Publicly funded COVID-19 testing (including rapid antigen tests and PCR testing) is available for individuals eligible for COVID-19 treatment. This includes symptomatic individuals who are:
• Aged 65 and older.
• Aged18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions associated with more severe disease.
• Immunocompromised.
• Residing as patients in certain high-risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes and other congregate living settings.
• Are in outbreak situations, as directed by the local public health unit.
Some healthcare providers (such as primary care providers and pharmacists) can order rapid antigen tests through the Provincial Antigen Testing Program for use on patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection who would be eligible for COVID-19 treatment if they tested positive.
Measles
If you suspect or have laboratory confirmation of measles, report the following form immediately to Lambton Public Health as per Ontario Reg. 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Measles Reporting Form
Rabies and Animal Exposures
Reporting Animal Exposures
Animal bites and scratches can pose rabies risks and must be reported to Lambton Public Health promptly, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 557, Communicable Diseases.
To report an animal exposure:
• Complete the Report of Animal Exposure form.
• Alternatively, you can directly call 519-383-8331 to report to a Public Health Inspector.
Risk Assessment and PEP Administration
• Managing Suspected Rabies Exposures
• Administering Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
• Rabies for Health Professionals
Consultation
Lambton Public Health experts are available by calling 519-383-8331 for consultation on rabies-related matters.
Ticks and Vector-Borne Diseases
Resources & Information
Tick Identification Form
Need help identifying a tick? Fill out the online form and submit a clear picture of the back of the tick.
Tick-Borne Disease Information
Visit Public Health Ontario to learn how to avoid bites from black-legged ticks, which may carry Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Powassan virus, and/or Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease Clinical Guidance Document
Guidance for health care providers regarding the management and investigation of Lyme disease from Ontario Health.
Lambton Public Health’s Lyme Disease Fact Sheet for Patients
Access our informative fact sheet for your patients.
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Information
Education about other vector-borne and zoonotic diseases from Public Health Ontario.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is preventable, treatable and curable. The TB program at Lambton Public Health collaborates with healthcare professionals and the community to decrease the prevalence and impact of TB in Lambton County. We also provide assistance to individuals with TB and their families.
Testing & Screening
Local TB Testing Options
Handouts
• TST Guide for Healthcare Providers
Screening Algorithms
• TB Screening Algorithm for Licensed Child Care Settings
• LPH Recommendations for LTCH & RH TB Screening
Reporting
• HCP Positive TST Reporting
Resources
• Canadian TB Standards (8th edition)
• Lung Health
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Public Health Ontario: Tuberculosis
For more information about TB, contact a Public Health Nurse on the Infectious Diseases & Prevention Control team at 519-383-8331 ext. 3537.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
For more information visit our Sexual & Reproductive Health Resources for Health Care Professional.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
Best Practice Guidance
• Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (PIDAC) Best Practices
Professional Development
• Infection Prevention & Control Online Learning Courses
Resources
• How to Hand Wash
• How to Hand Rub
• How to put on and take off PPE
• Public Health Ontario Kit and Test Ordering
Outbreaks
Respiratory and gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutions are reportable to the Medical Officer of Health as stated in Ontario Regulation 559/91 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
To report a suspect or confirmed outbreak to LPH, please call 519-383-8331 ext. 3537 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and 519-383-8331 after hours and on weekends and holidays.
General Outbreak Resources
• Facility Outbreak Line List
• Ministry of Health Recommendation for Outbreak Prevention and Control in Institutions and Congregate Living Settings
• Ontario Public Health Standards: case, contact and outbreak management guidance for all reportable diseases in Ontario.
Respiratory Outbreaks
• COVID-19 and Respiratory Viruses PCR Nasopharyngeal Collection Instruction
Enteric Outbreaks
• Stool Sample Collection Instructions
• Clostridium difficile Best Practices for Testing, Surveillance and Management in All Health Care Settings
Outbreak Signage
• Outbreak Signage
• Additional Precautions Signage and Lanyard Cards
• Hand Hygiene & PPE Signage
Outbreak Best Practice Guidance
• Best Practices for Routine Practices and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings
• Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections in All Health Care Settings
• Best Practices for Screening, Testing and Surveillance for Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms (AROs) in All Health Care Settings
Outbreaks and Inspections
• Institutional Outbreaks
• IPAC Lapse Investigation
Have a question about reportable diseases, outbreaks, or infection control?
Phone: 519-383-8331 ext. 3537
Have a question about animal bites, ticks, or foodborne illnesses?
Phone: 519-383-8331 ext. 3812
Email: duty.inspector@county-lambton.on.ca