September 4, 2014 TO: North Zone Physicians Dear Colleague, Re: Management of E.coli O157:H7 During July and August this year, there has been a large increase in the number of E.coli O157:H7 (Shiga Toxin producing E.coli) cases reported in Alberta. Between July 15 and September 02, 2014, 149 cases have been identified across Alberta. The investigation into these cases is ongoing, including attempting to identify a possible source. Patients suffering from E.coli illness often present with hemorrhagic diarrhea and are at risk for developing Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). To assist you in the management of patients identified with E.coli, an information sheet for Health Care Providers is now available. Developed collaboratively with adult infectious disease and nephrology (U of A and U of C), paediatric infectious disease and nephrology (Alberta Children’s Hospital and Stollery), and Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health Public Health, this document addresses the most frequently asked questions and concerns pertaining to E.coli case management. Please access this document on the AHS E.coli Outbreak webpage, at: http://albertahealthservices.ca/ecoli (click on Info for Health Professionals). For more detailed information, you can access the Alberta Health Notifiable Disease Management Guidelines: http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/Guidelines-Escherichia-coliVerotoxigenic-2011.pdf AND http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/Guidelines-HaemolyticUremic-Syndrome-2013.pdf Clinical diagnoses of Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) must be reported to the NZ Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at: - 1-855-513-7530 - CDC Intake during regular business hours, or - 1-800-732-8981 - Public Health On Call after hours and on weekends. As always, thank you for your excellent clinical care, and ongoing work to protect the health of our Alberta population. Please contact one of us if you have any questions. This letter will be posted on the AHS-MOH webpage www.albertahealthservices.ca/7082.asp Sincerely, Original signed Dr. Albert de Villiers, MB.Ch.B., M.Med. (C.H.) Medical Officer of Health, North Zone – West; Zone Lead Office of the Medical Officers of Health, Alberta Health Services – North Zone 2101, 10320-99th Street • Grande Prairie AB T8V 6J4 Dr. Albert de Villiers, NZ-West • Tel: 780.513.7550 • Fax: 780.532.4373 Dr. Kathryn Koliaska, NZ-Central • Tel: 780.342.0260 • Fax: 780.342.0248 Dr. Gerhard Benadé, NZ-East • Tel: 780.793.7353 • Fax: 780.793.7243 Dr. Mayank Singal, NZ-East • Tel: 780.793.7353 • Fax: 780.793.7243 Office of the Medical Officers of Health, Alberta Health Services – North Zone 2101, 10320-99th Street • Grande Prairie AB T8V 6J4 Dr. Albert de Villiers, NZ-West • Tel: 780.513.7550 • Fax: 780.532.4373 Dr. Kathryn Koliaska, NZ-Central • Tel: 780.342.0260 • Fax: 780.342.0248 Dr. Gerhard Benadé, NZ-East • Tel: 780.793.7353 • Fax: 780.793.7243 Dr. Mayank Singal, NZ-East • Tel: 780.793.7353 • Fax: 780.793.7243