PHO Webinar: Blastomycosis in Ontario

This webinar is intended to provide health care professionals working in public health and primary care with an overview of the etiology of Blastomycosis and epidemiology in Ontario. As well, available diagnostic methods and varying clinical presentations will be discussed. The session will conclude with a summary of treatment considerations and public health management for individuals diagnosed with Blastomycosis.

Intended audience: Public Health Units, clinicians who may assess patients for blastomycosis (e.g. primary care providers, infectious disease physicians).

Note: For the best live experience, please ensure you are using a current version of Zoom (5.8.3 or higher) in Chrome or another modern browser to support interactive features.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the expected distribution of blastomycosis in Ontario.
• Understand the etiology, clinical presentation and diagnostics of blastomycosis.
• Explain the clinician’s role in the management of blastomycosis.

About the presenters: Dr. Austin Zygmunt, Dr. Julianne Kus, and Dr. Anthony La Delfa

Dr. Austin Zygmunt, MSc, MD, CCFP, FRCPC, is a Public Health Physician in Health Protection at Public Health Ontario. He completed his Royal College fellowship in Public Health & Preventive Medicine at the University of Ottawa in 2021. Since joining PHO in the Fall of 2021, he has taken on the role of Public Health Guidance lead, contributed to COVID-19 consultations and scientific requests, and is the physician lead for monkeypox and blastomycosis. His public health interests include communicable diseases, health equity and LGBTQ+ health.

Dr. Julianne Kus, MSc, PhD, FCCM, leads the areas of reference bacteriology and mycology at Public Health Ontario’s laboratory as a Clinical Microbiologist, and is also an Assistant Professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. She has an interest in improving diagnostic methods, antimicrobial resistance, and the epidemiology of infectious diseases - areas in which she has published widely. Julianne serves on several editorial boards of international journals focused on clinical microbiology as well as national and international committees focused on quality and improvements to diagnostic mycology including the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute.

Dr. Anthony La Delfa MD, FRCPC, is an Infectious Diseases Specialist and the Interim Physician Lead for Infection Prevention and Control at Oak Valley Health (Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital). He completed his medical school, Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Diseases subspecialty training at the University of Toronto. His interests include antimicrobial stewardship, quality improvement and medical education. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and twin daughters, and dreaming about life post-pandemic.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

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Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.