New outbreak alert plan put in place

24.oct.06
The Hamilton Spectator
Nicole MacIntyre

City of Hamilton health officials have, according to this story, a new communication plan after the public was left in the dark about a legionnaires' disease outbreak this past summer.
The board of health approved a new policy yesterday that mandates that the medical officer of health notify the chair and vice-chair of the board when similar problems emerge. They will then pass the information on to council, which could decide to go public.
The new policy is unique in the province.
Councillor Tom Jackson was quoted as saying, "Let's set the standard."
One person died and 10 became ill from legionnaires' disease this summer. Several reported being downtown before they became ill.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said in hindsight, officials should have notified the board chair, Mayor Larry Di Ianni, formally in mid-August. The mayor was told briefly about the outbreak in August. The rest of council wasn't told until late September in a closed-door meeting. Hamilton's outbreak is the first known case of a community spike, as opposed to a facility outbreak, in Canada.