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Communicable Disease and
Immunization
Data definitions, limitations
& uses • Data Sources
Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by
organisms called "germs". These illness
can be caught by other people or other sources. In
this section three broad categories of
communicable disease will be discussed; food and
water-borne diseases, sexually
transmitted diseases and vaccine
preventable diseases.
Food and water-borne
diseases
Food and water-borne diseases are diseases that
are generally considered to reflect the state of
our physical environments. These diseases can be
contracted by ingesting food or water that has
been contaminated by an infected human or animal.
In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL), Salmonella,
Giardia and Campylobacteur are the most frequently
reported of these diseases (see figure 1).
Unfortunately, the reporting of enteric illnesses
is estimated to reflect only 1 to 10% of all
cases. Usually milder forms of these diseases are
not investigated. In LGL, between 1993 and 1998 ,
the rates of both Giardia and Amebiasis were
higher than rates in Ontario in 1997.
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are infections
that pass from person to person by sexual contact.
Those reported to the health department include:
Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Due to the fact that many STDs go unreported, it
is difficult to describe the true incidence of
these diseases in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL).
However, Chlamydia was the most frequently
reported sexually transmitted disease in LGL in
1997. There were 55 incident cases (new cases) per
100,000 people. This is almost half the rate
observed in all of Ontario in 1997 (92 cases per
100,000) (see figure 2).
Between 1990-1996, most of the reported cases of
chlaymdia in LGL occurred among women 15-24 years
of age (see figure
3). In general, the incidence rate for most
STDs was lower in LGL than in Ontario between
1990-1997 (see
figure 4).
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Vaccine-preventable
Diseases
A number of communicable diseases can be prevented
through the delivery of effective vaccines. These
diseases include red measels, dipthreia and polio.
These are diseases that in the past have been
leading causes of death. A key to keeping these
illnesses under control is to maintaining high
immunization coverage rates.
In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL), about 85% of
grade seven students in the 1998-99 school year
had each of the required immunizations up to date
(see figure 5).
In LGL, most new cases of vaccine-preventable
diseases are reported at as lower rate than in
Ontario (see
figure 6). Only in 1997, for cases of
pertussis (whooping cough), was the rate of new
cases higher in LGL than in Ontario.
Worldwide tuberculosis is a leading cause of
death. In recent years the disease has had a
resurgence in some parts of North America. In LGL,
the rate of tuberculosis is very low. Between 1990
and 1997 there have been less than one new case
per year, per 100,000 people, reported. This is
much lower than in the province as a whole. For
instance, in Ontario, the rate of new cases of
tuberculosis was 6.7 per 100,000 in 1997 (see figure 7).
Influenza (the flu) is a disease that can cause
serious health concerns for specific segments of
the population. The flu is of particular concern
for seniors, and people who are immuno-compromised.
The influenza vaccine is recommended for people 65
and older, and for staff and residents working and
living in long-term care facilities.
In the combined regions of Leeds, Grenville and
Lanark, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington,
and Hastings and Prince Edward (LGL/KFLA/HPE),
only 34% of all residents 12 and older had ever
had a flu shot, when asked in 1996 (see figure 8).
However, among these people, 59% had received a
flu shot in the past year (see figure 9).
Most residents and staff of Long Term Care
facilities in LGL had received a flu shot before
the 1999-2000 flu season (see figure 10).
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Data Definitions, Uses
and Limitations
Major Notifiable Disease
Major Notifiable Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Incidence of Selected Enteric Diseases
Influenza Vaccination among long term Facilities
Vaccine Coverage for selected diseases
Data Sources
Reportable Disease Information System
Immunization Records Information System
Ontario Health Survey, 1996
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