Drinking and recreational water exposures among Canadians: Foodbook Study 2014-2015.

In Canada, over 400,000 enteric diseases related to drinking water occur each year, highlighting the importance of understanding sources of Canadians' drinking and recreational water exposures. To address this need, a population-based telephone survey of 10,942 Canadians was conducted between 2014 and 2015, assessing Canadian's drinking water sources and recreational water exposures using a seven-day recall method. Results were analyzed by province/territory, season, age group, gender, income, education, and urban/rural status. Store-bought bottled water was reported by nearly 20% of survey respondents as their primary drinking water source, while approximately 11% of respondents reported private well. The proportion of private well users was significantly greater than the national average in the Maritime Provinces where approximately 40-56% of respondents reported this as their primary drinking water source. As expected, Canadians' recreational water activities and exposures (e.g., swimming, pool, lake, and waterpark) peaked during summer and were most commonly reported among children aged 0-9 years. Waterborne disease in Canada requires a multi-faceted public health approach. Canadian baseline data on water exposures can inform policy and public health strategies (e.g., recreational water guidelines, private well water testing recommendations) and support research and risk assessment related to mitigating waterborne illness.

A mixed-methods assessment of community-engaged learning in a Master of Public Health program.

Objective: Community-engaged learning is used in Master of Public Health programs to enhance student training, connect with communities, help solve societal issues, develop competencies, and build partnerships. However, it is unclear how much community-engaged learning components supplement existing Master of Public Health programs and prepare students in developing these competencies. Thus, the aim of this study was to apply an explanatory mixed-methods study design to evaluate a Canadian Master of Public Health program's community-engaged learning activities and propose recommendations to strengthen public health training and course delivery. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire among Master of Public Health students (n = 25), focus group discussion with a subset of these students (n = 7), and one-on-one semi-structured telephone interviews with community partners who had previously hosted Master of Public Health students for practicum placements (n = 11). Results: Community-engagement enhanced learning among Master of Public Health students, with the practicum placement, and program development capstone resulting in the largest self-reported development. Students in the focus group indicated community engagement provided skill and professional development, but also identified wanting additional curriculum coverage on various statistical software and qualitative research methods. Interviews with community partners revealed benefits of practicum placements such as mutual knowledge transfer, increased organizational capacity, and strengthened academic-community partnerships. Community partners also commented on challenges with recruitment, training, and aligning student-organization goals. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that an update to the Master of Public Health program curriculum, its core competencies, a combination of community-engagement activities, and future evaluations will be needed to advance education delivery.

A multi-provincial Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak in Canada associated with exposure to pet hedgehogs, 2017-2020.

Background: In October 2020, an investigation began in Canada on an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections of the same strain as a concomitant outbreak in the United States (US) that was linked to pet hedgehogs. The objective of this article is to identify the source of the outbreak, determine if there was a link between the Canadian and US outbreaks and identify risk factors for infection to inform public health interventions. Methods: Cases were identified through whole genome sequencing of S. Typhimurium isolates. Information was collected on case exposures, including animal contact. Hedgehog and environmental specimens were tested for S. Typhimurium and a trace back investigation was conducted. Results: There were 31 cases in six provinces, with illness onset dates from June 1, 2017, to October 15, 2020. Median case age was 20 years and 52% were female. Isolates grouped together between 0-46 whole genome multi locus sequence typing allele differences. Of 23 cases with available exposure information, 19 (83%) reported contact with hedgehogs in the seven days prior to symptoms; 15/18 (83%) reported direct contact and 3/18 (17%) reported indirect contact. Trace back investigation did not identify a common source of hedgehogs but uncovered an industry with a complex distribution network. The outbreak strain was detected in samples collected from a hedgehog in one case's home and from a hedgehog in a Québec zoo. Conclusion: Direct and indirect contact with hedgehogs was identified as the source of this S. Typhimurium outbreak. Public health communications aimed to increase awareness about the risks of zoonoses from hedgehogs and shared key hygienic practices to reduce disease transmission.