Media Notices 2006

Saturday, December 9, 2006

The revised Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector was released today along with a summary booklet entitled Highlights from the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector. Both documents are available on the Public Health Agency of Canada website at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca.

The updated Plan was released today at the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The Plan – developed collaboratively by federal, provincial and territorial governments with input from health experts and officials – provides guidelines and recommendations to assist governments and organizations in planning their own responses.

Updated regularly since it was first published in 2004, the current version now includes new guidelines on influenza surveillance and public health measures. The Plan will continue to be updated with new information.

For more information about pandemic influenza, visit http://www.influenza.gc.ca

Media Inquiries:

Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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December 1, 2006

Parliamentary Secretary Steven Fletcher will deliver opening remarks at the 7th Canadian Immunization Conference in Winnipeg, an event hosted by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Association for Immunization Research and Evaluation.

Mr. Fletcher will be available for a photo opportunity with the winners of the Grade 6 Student Poster Contest, which will be announced following the opening remarks. Students across the country were asked to design posters showing what immunization means to them and how it helps to keep kids healthy.

This event is open to the media.

Date
Sunday, December 3, 2006

Time
1:00 p.m.- 2:10 p.m.

Location
3rd Floor, Hall B
Winnipeg Convention Centre
375 York Avenue
Winnipeg

Media Inquiries:
Ryan Baker
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 859-2985

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Association for Immunization Research and Evaluation are hosting the 7th Canadian Immunization Conference in Winnipeg.

Immunization experts from across the country and around the world are gathering at this bi-ennial event to discuss key issues in immunization, such as vaccine supply, vaccine safety and emerging vaccines.

For more information, including the conference agenda, visit:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cnic-ccni/index.html

Date
December 3 to 6, 2006

Location
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Media Accreditation
The conference is open to media. For accreditation, contact Ryan Baker at
(613) 957-1788.

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Sunday, November 5, 2006

Health Minister Tony Clement will deliver a welcome address at the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada Conference.

Minister Clement will be available to answer questions from media after his speech.

Date
Monday, November 6, 2006

Time
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Location
Confederation Room 1
Westin Hotel
11 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa

Media Inquiries:

Jean Riverin
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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Monday, October 30, 2006

Parliamentary Secretary Steven Fletcher will deliver a keynote speech at Kids for a Cure, an event hosted by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

This event is open to the media.

Date
Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Time
12:20 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Location
Room 200
West Block Building
Parliament Hill
Ottawa

Media Inquiries:

Jean Riverin
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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Updated Notice to the Media - Sunday, October 22, 2006

Health Minister Tony Clement, joined by Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones and other key partners will make an important announcement about heart health.  

The key partners participating in the event include:

Dr. Elden Smith, President and Director, Peter Lougheed Medical Research Foundation

Dr. Carol Jillings, Chair of the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation

Dr. Lyall Higginson, President, Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Date
Monday, Oct. 23, 2006

Time
11 a.m. - noon

Location
Brooke Claxton Building
Room 0115C (basement boardroom)
Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa

Media Inquiries:
Jean Riverin
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189

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Media Advisory - Friday, October 20, 2006

The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, will address participants of the 7th Canadian Cardiovascular Congress during the opening ceremonies, via live video conference.

Date
Sunday October 22, 2006

Time
2:00 p.m.

Location
Plenary Room, Exhibit Hall C
Convention Level -Vancouver Exhibition
and Convention Centre
Vancouver, B.C.

Media Inquiries:
Erik Bruns
Health Canada
BC/Yukon Region
(604) 666-2706

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Media Advisory - Wednesday, October 18, 2006

The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, will be speaking via videoconference at the Opening Ceremonies at the 10th annual conference of the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Date
Thursday, October 19, 2006

Time
8:00 a.m.

Location
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
North building

Media Inquiries:
Erik Waddell
Minister's Office
(613) 957-0200

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Media Advisory - Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Health Minister Tony Clement will deliver a speech at the launch of World Sight Day. The event will be hosted by the World Sight Day Coalition of Canada.

The Minister will be available for a photo opportunity and to answer questions following the event.

Date
Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Time
3:10 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.

Location
Room 214
180 Wellington Street
Ottawa

Media Inquiries:

Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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Media Advisory - Monday, October 2, 2006

Parliamentary Secretary Steven Fletcher will deliver remarks at a reception hosted by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health.

Mr. Fletcher will welcome the release of a new report entitled The Human Face of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Canada.

The reception is part of the Mood Disorder Society of Canada's Stigma and Discrimination Research Workshop, which runs from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2006.

Mr. Fletcher will be available to answer questions from media following his remarks.

Date
Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Time
12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Location
Delta Ottawa Hotel
350 Sparks Street, Ottawa
Victoria Room

Media Inquiries:

Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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Media Advisory - August 16, 2006

The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, along with the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works and MLA for Antigonish, and Dr. Jeff Scott, Chair of the Atlantic NCC Working Group, will announce the host location for Atlantic Canada's National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health.

The event is open to media.

Date: August 18, 2006
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: St. Francis Xavier University
Conference Room 'C'
Keating Millennium Centre
Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Six National Collaborating Centres (NCC) have been established across the country as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to renew and strengthen public health. Each NCC will specialize in a different priority area of public health and will be a focal point of regional, national and international knowledge and expertise.

Media Inquiries:

Tracey Taweel
Public Health Agency of Canada
(902) 483-1193

Allan Gates
St. Francis Xavier University
(902) 867-3364

Brett Loney
Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection
(902) 424-6527

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Media Advisory - Tuesday, August 15, 2006

The XVI International AIDS Conference
Canada 's Minister of Health, Tony Clementwill participate in the following events at the 2006 AIDS conference on Tuesday, August 15, 2006:

11:00 am
Renewal of Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada UNAIDS Partnership Arrangement: Photo opportunity
Location: Kingsway Room (Level 200), Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel, 225 Front Street

2:15 pm Opening and closing remarks
Special Session: A World Without AIDS: The Long Road to Effective HIV Vaccines
Location: Session Room 2, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

7:00 pm Remarks
Conquering HIV/AIDS reception to honour Canadians who have made a significant contribution to fighting HIV/AIDS.
Location: Royal Ontario Museum of Ontario, 100 Queen's Park

Media Inquiries:

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Government of Canada Media Line at 2006 AIDS Conference: (416) 585-3731

Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-1788

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Media Advisory - Monday August 14, 2006

The XVI International AIDS Conference
** NEWS CONFERENCE POSTPONED **

Please note the postponement of the news conference scheduled today at 13:00 to outline the Government of Canada's domestic and international support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

New date and time to be announced in a separate advisory.

Media Inquiries:
Pascale St-Pierre
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: (819) 953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: (819) 953-6534
Email: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Web site: www.cida.gc.ca (electronic version of the document)

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Government of Canada Media Line at 2006 AIDS Conference
(416) 585-3731

Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-1788

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Media Advisory - Sunday August 13, 2006

Monday, August 14

The XVI International AIDS Conference
Canada's Minister of Health, Tony Clement will participate in the following events at the 2006 AIDS conference on Monday, August 14, 2006.

Time: 10:00 am Photo opportunity
With recipients of scholarships who would not otherwise have been able to attend the 2006 AIDS Conference.
Location: Canadian Exhibit Hall, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Media Inquiries:
Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Government of Canada Media Line at 2006 AIDS Conference: (416) 585-3731

Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-1788

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Media Advisory - Saturday August 12, 2006

The XVI International AIDS Conference
Canada's Minister of Health, Tony Clement will participate in the following events at the 2006 AIDS Conference on Sunday, August 13, 2006

Opening remarks
Time: 5:00
Satellite session : Addressing HIV/AIDS in Low Prevalence/High Resource Countries. This session is designed to facilitate a discussion on current policy challenges and initiatives to address HIV/AIDS in low prevalence/high resource countries (Canada, United States, United Kingdom, France).

Location: Session Room 2 - Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Remarks at Conference Opening
Time: 19:00
Opening remarks at the Conference opening ceremony on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Location: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way

Media Inquiries:
Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Government of Canada Media Line at 2006 AIDS Conference:
(416) 585-3731

Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-1788

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Media Advisory - Saturday August 12, 2006

Public Health Agency of Canada
at
THE XVI^TH INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE, TORONTO,
13-18 AUGUST 2006

Canada's top scientists and public health officials are scheduled to speak at a number of events at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto. As well as participating in several panels and discussions, scientists and policy experts from the Public Health Agency(PHAC), Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) will present more than 35 abstracts. For locations of poster presentations, please contact PHAC Media Relations at 416-585-3731 between August 13-18 or 613-957-1788 in Ottawa.
The activities of Canada's Health Portfolio at the conference are outlined below:

Sunday, August 13

Time: 16.45 p.m.
Title: Satellite Session: Leading together - Canada Takes Action on HIV/AIDS Conference
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Session Room 10

• Morris Rosenberg, Deputy Minister, Health Canada

Time: 17.00 p.m. - 18:30 p.m.
Title: Satellite Session: A Policy Discussion on New Challenges and Opportunities to Address HIV/AIDS in Low Prevalence/High Resource Countries
Location: Skills Building Room 2

• Nina Arron, PHAC
• Dr. Frank Plummer, PHAC

Monday, August 14

Time: 18:00 p.m. - 20:00 p.m.
Title: Satellite Session: HIV/AIDS in Prisons- A Comprehensive Response
Location: Skills Building Room 5

• PHAC and UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Poster Presentations:

HLA Class II DP and DQ alleles associated with resistance and susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in Kenyan sex trade workers

• Dr. Frank Plummer, PHAC

Monitoring HIV viral load in resource-limited settings. Evaluation of the cavidi ExaVir Load

• Richard Pilon, PHAC
• Linda Ares, PHAC
• John Kim, PHAC
• Zhaoxia Chen, PHAC
• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC

Improved between-laboratory performance of South African NHLS laboratories using PLG CD4 methodology for the national anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment programme

• Frank Mandy, PHAC
• Michele Bergeron, PHAC
• G. Houle, PHAC

Measurements of HIV p24 antigenemia, HIV serology and CD4 T-cells by hybris flow cytometry

• Alice Sherring, PHAC
• Sylvie Faucher, PHAC
• Dragica Bogdanovic, PHAC
• Tao Ding, PHAC
• Michele Bergeron, PHAC
• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC
• Frank Mandy, PHAC

Back-projection models linking HIV diagnoses and testing behaviours as one method to estimate incidence in Canada

• Dena Schanzer, PHAC

Modeling HIV infection in Ontario: a comparison of two methods

• Dr. Ping Yan, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

High-risk sexual networks of Indoor commercial sex workers (CSW), their clients, and other sexual partners in Vancouver, Canada

• Ann M. Jolly, PHAC

Social network factors associated with syringe sharing among injection drug users in Montreal, Canada

• Ann M. Jolly, PHAC

Does size matter? An assessment of risk behaviours by city size among men who have sex with men: an online study

• Tom Wong, PHAC

Factors associated with the late HIV diagnosis in Canada, 1996-2005

• Jennifer Pennock, PHAC
• Julie Stokes, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

What drives the HIV epidemic among IDUs in Pakistan: a risk factor analysis

• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

Shifting epidemiology of HIV in a central Canadian province

• Souradet Shaw, PHAC

Cross-country collaboration to prevent the transmission of HIV in indigenous communities

• Tom Wong, PHAC

The global research network for HIV prevention among drug using populations (GRN) - a new worldwide research and program tool

• Yogesh Choudhri, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

Tuesday, August 15

Time: 10:45 a.m.
Title: Oral Presentation: Characteristics of young injection drug users in Canada
Location: Session Room 12, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

• Dana Paquette, PHAC
• Yogesh Choudhri, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

Poster Presentations: HIV-1 Vpu mutations associated with less sever CD4+ T cell loss

• Dr. Frank Plummer, PHAC

Type I human endogenous retrovirus K102 (HERV-K102) reactivation in HIV

• Dr. Marian Laderoute, PHAC
• Louise Larocque, PHAC
• Yang-Xun Hou, Health Canada
• Loana Moldovan, PHAC
• Dr. Jun Wu, PHAC
• Susie El Saddany, PHAC

HIV testing and access to care: The experience of Canadian Aboriginal youth

• Tom Wong, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

HIV and lymphogranuloma venerum (LGV) co-infection in Canada

• Maritia Anne Gully, PHAC
• Rhonda Y Kropp, PHAC
• Tom Wong, PHAC

Applications of molecular epidemiology in the Canadian HIV strain and drug resistance surveillance program

• Richard Pilon, PHAC
• Harriet Merks, PHAC
• Dr. John Kim, PHAC
• Dr. Gayatri Jayaraman, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC
• Neil Goedhuis, PHAC
• Dr. James Brooks, PHAC
• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC

Characteristics of injection drug users who inject with shared needles in Canada

• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC
• Yogesh Choudhri, PHAC
• David Boulos, PHAC

They get what they deserve - who is saying that?

• Steven Sternthal, PHAC
• Patti Murphy, PHAC
• Yogesh Choudhri, PHAC
• Maxxine Rattner, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC
• Karine Goneau-Lessard, PHAC
• Stephen Cule, PHAC

High-risk sexual behaviours: a gateway to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Canadian street youth

• Jennifer Siushansian, PHAC
• Olayemi Agboola, PHAC
• Tom Wong, PHAC

Engaging vulnerable populations in the public health response

• Susan Tolton, PHAC

The development of the Canadian Microbicides action plan as a model of multi-sectoral collaboration

• Ingrid Wellmeier, PHAC

The Canadian HIV vaccines plan: engaging multiple sectors in domestic and global responses

• Ingrid Wellmeier, PHAC
• Steven Sternthal, PHAC

Leading together - government roles in multi-sectoral HIV/AIDS planning

• Grafton Spooner, PHAC
• Fernand Comeau, PHAC

Inter-governmental Interdepartmental positions and statements in a federated system (creating synergies)

• Fernand Comeau, PHAC
• Meredith Willis, PHAC
• Grafton Spooner, PHAC

Wednesday, August 16

Time: 18:00 p.m. - 20:00 p.m.
Title: Satellite Session: Community-based research in Canada: Innovations and partnership to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS and communities at risk
Location: Session room 10, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

• Dr. Bhagirath Singh, CIHR, Institute of Infection and Immunity

Poster Presentations:

Evolution and selection in HIV-1 pol

• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC
• Richard Pilon, PHAC

At the end of the day: findings from a multidisciplinary study of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria - phase 1

• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC

Self-reported behavioural change since using the internet to find sex partners: an online study among MSM in the US and Canada

• Tom Wong, PHAC

Risky business: sex trade as a risk factor for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Canadian street youth

• Tom Wong, PHAC
• Olayemi Agboola, PHAC
• Jennifer Siushansian, PHAC

Harm reduction programming: best practices in working with community

• Josie Sirna, PHAC
• Tracey Donaldson, PHAC
• Katherine Dinner, PHAC

Thursday, August 17

Time: 10:45 a.m.
Title: Oral Presentation: Primary HIV-1 Drug resistance in Canada - Updated results from the Canadian HIV Strain and Drug Resistance Surveillance Program
Location: Session Room 9, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

• Neil Goedhuis, PHAC
• Dr. Gayatri Jayaraman, PHAC
• James Brooks, PHAC
• Richard Pilon, PHAC
• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC
• Dr. Chris Archibald, PHAC

Time: 11:15 a.m.
Title: Oral Presentation: HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping in treatment na?ve subjects using dried whole blood spots

• Richard Pilon, PHAC
• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC

Time: 16:00 p.m. - 17:30 p.m.
Title: Oral Presentation: Diagnosis and care of HIV infection in Canadian Aboriginal youth - Engaging the community in research
Location: Session room 6, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

• Tom Wong, PHAC

Poster Presentations:

Development of Varicella Zoster virus as a persistent, replicating SIV/HIV vaccine vector

• Dr. Paul Sandstrom, PHAC

A novel gp 120 speficity for lgG1 b12

• Dr. Frank Plu
• mmer, PHAC
Jody Berry, PHAC

First year evaluation of a provincial non-occupational HIV post exposure prophylaxis (NPEP) protocol in Alberta, Canada

• Sabrina Plitt, PHAC

The importance and involvement of civil society in the development of federal government funding programs

• Neil Burke,PHAC
• Alain Houde, PHAC
• Grafton Spooner, PHAC
• Michael McCulloch, PHAC

Saving time, the Ontario community HIV/AIDS reporting tool, an inter-jurisdictional collaboration to streamline accountability mechanisms for government funded community based AIDS programs

• Anita Fervaha, PHAC
• Henry Koo, PHAC,
• Elfreda Burkholder, PHAC

Commitment, transparency and accountability of civil societies and governments accountability and transparency: reporting on federal initiative to address HIV/AIDS in Canada commitments

• Shannon Brunton, PHAC
• Grafton Spooner, PHAC
• Tanya Lary, PHAC
• Steven Sternthal, PHAC
• Marsha Hay-Snyder, PHAC
• Lori-Ann Smith, PHAC

Media Inquiries:
Government of Canada Media Line at 2006 AIDS Conference:
(416) 585-3731

Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-1788

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Media Advisory - Friday August 11, 2006

Minister Tony Clement
at
THE XVI^TH INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE, TORONTO,
13-18 AUGUST 2006

Canada's Minister of Health, Tony Clement, will be involved throughout AIDS 2006 in meetings with international leaders, scientific experts and people living with HIV/AIDS. The Minister is scheduled to attend a number of events at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto. Daily media advisories will provide additional details.

The Minister's activities at the conference are outlined below:

Saturday, August 12

Time: 08:30-09:30
Event: Nurses at the Forefront of HIV/AIDS
Minister Clement to provide opening remarks
Location: Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto

Time: 10:00-10:30
Event: Presentation of video cameras to youth for documentary project
Photo opportunity
Location: Map Room, Hart House, University of Toronto

Sunday, August 13

Time: 17:00-18:30
Event: Satellite Session: Addressing HIV/AIDS in Low Prevalence/High Resource Countries
Minister Clement to provide opening remarks
Location: Session room 2 - Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Time: 19:00-22:30
Event: Conference Opening
Minster Clement to provide welcoming remarks
Location: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way

Monday, August 14

Time: 10:00-10:20
Event: Photo Opportunity with Recipients of Scholarship Program for Canadian residents
Location: Canadian Exhibit Hall, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Time: 1:00-1:45
Event: Government of Canada News Conference with the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation.
Location: Room 1 - Level 300, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West

Tuesday, August 15

Time: 11:00-12:00
Title: Renewal of Health Canada & PHAC UNAIDS Partnership
Photo Opportunity
Location: Lobby, Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel, 225 Front St. W

Time: 14:15-15:45
Event: Special Session: 'A World Without AIDS: The Long Road to Effective HIV Vaccines'
Minister Clement to provide opening and closing remarks
Location: Session Room 2, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Time: 19:00-21:30
Event: Reception: Conquering HIV/AIDS
Minister Clement to provide remarks
Location: Royal Ontario Museum

Thursday, August 17

Time: 18:45-20:45
Event: Joint reception with GoC and Government of Ontario
Minister Clement to provide welcoming remarks
Location: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 123 Queen Street West

Time: 21:00-22:00
Event: International AIDS Vigil
Photo opportunity
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square

Media Inquiries:
Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Government of Canada Media Line at 2006 AIDS Conference: (416) 585-3731

Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-1788

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Media Advisory - Friday July 28, 2006

On Monday July 31, 2006, the Public Health Agency of Canada will release the estimates of HIV prevalence and incidence in Canada for 2005.

These estimates guide the work of the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments as well as community groups under the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada.

The estimates will be available on the Agency's website at 1 p.m. (DST).

Following the release of the estimates, Agency experts will be available to take questions from the media via teleconference at 2:00 p.m (DST). Journalists may participate by dialing 1-888-265-0464 and referring to conference ID 3827307.

Media Inquiries:
Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

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Note to editors July 7, 2006

The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated the West Nile virus section of its website for the 2006 season. It now includes new maps and tables that enable users to see past and current West Nile virus activity levels in Canada.

The West Nile virus MONITOR can be accessed at the following web address: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/wnv-vwn/index-eng.php

Please bookmark this web address and share it with your colleagues, so together we can provide accurate and timely information to Canadians about West Nile virus.

Media Inquiries:
Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

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Urgent Note To Editors - 17 june 2006

The Public Health Agency of Canada is monitoring an outbreak of P.falciparum malaria in Great Exuma, Bahamas. There has been one-lab confirmed case of the disease in a Canadian traveller.

A Travel Health Advisory will be posted at: www.travelhealth.gc.ca to alert Canadians of the risks and the precautions that can be taken to prevent getting ill. It is strongly recommended that Canadians consult their personal physician or travel clinic four to six week prior to travel for an individual risk assessment.

Malaria is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically the female Anopheles mosquito, a dusk-to-dawn biter. Malaria is very rarely transmitted from one person to another.

Media Inquiries:
Aggie Adamczyk
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189

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Media Advisory - June 8, 2006

Federal Health Minister Tony Clement will deliver remarks at the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital Canada Goodwill Visit premiere reception.

The Minister, ORBIS partners and media will tour the aircraft and answer questions from the media prior to his presentation at 1:00 p.m.. There will also be photo opportunities during the tour.

The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital aircraft will showcase its state-of-the-art surgical and teaching facilities in preserving and restoring sight.

ORBIS partners with eye care professionals and health institutions in developing countries to address blindness in local areas through capacity building, improved health care infrastructure and access to eye care.

Date
Friday, June 9, 2006

Time
12:30 p.m. (Tour)
1:00 p.m. (Presentation)

Location
Canada Reception Centre
Hangar 11
Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport
Ottawa

Media are required to sign in on arrival.

Media Inquiries:
Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
(613) 957-0200

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Media Advisory - May 31, 2006

Health Minister Tony Clement will participate in a news conference to launch Safe Kids Week 2006 at the Westin Ottawa Hotel on June 1, 2006, at 2:15 p.m.

The event will also mark the 10th anniversary of Safe Kids Canada and the release of a new report on children's unintentional injury and death rates over the past 10 years.

Minister Clement will be available to the media following the event.

Date
Thursday, June 1, 2006

Time
2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location
Westin Hotel
Confederation Ballroom II
11 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario

Media are required to sign in on arrival.

Media Inquiries:
Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Erik Waddell
Office of the Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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Media Advisory - May 11, 2006

On behalf of Health Minister Tony Clement, Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, will launch this year's SummerActive initiative.

SummerActive is a national initiative that encourages Canadians to improve their health through physical activity, healthy eating, living a tobacco-free lifestyle, and participating in sport activities.

Mr. Galipeau will be joined by students and teachers of the Good Shepherd Catholic School in Blackburn Hamlet, Ontario.

Date
Friday, May 12, 2006

Time
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Location
Good Shepherd Catholic School
101 Bearbrook Road
Ottawa, Ontario

Media are required to sign in on arrival.

Media Inquiries:
Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970

Amir Rouhani
Office of Royal Galipeau, M.P.
(613) 995-1800

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Media Advisory - March 24, 2006

Health Minister Tony Clement will launch a new Web-based resource that will offer Canadians a one-stop shop for the latest information on pandemic influenza and Canada's preparedness.

Minister Clement will also unveil new information tools to be distributed through the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) to health professionals across the country.

CMA President Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai and CPhA Executive Director Dr. Jeff Poston will join the Minister at the event.

Date: Monday, March 27, 2006

Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location
Public Health Agency of Canada
Emergency Operations Centre
100 Colonnade Road
Ottawa

Media are required to sign in on arrival.

Media Inquiries:
Aggie Adamczyk
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189

Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
(613) 957-0200