More than ever infectious diseases are threatening the health and lives of Canadians. For this reason, organizations representing the infectious diseases sector are calling for a national infectious disease strategy to be led by the federal government. The following organizations are collaborating on this initiative: Canadian Foundation for Infectious Diseases (CFID); Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI Canada); Community and Hospital Infection Control Association- Canada (CHICA-Canada); Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (CACMID); International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID) and private-sector industry partners working in the areas of infectious diseases and medical microbiology.

“Infections acquired in healthcare settings alone kill 8,000 to 12,000 Canadians a year,” says Joanne Laalo, president of CHICA-Canada, and “one in nine patients (an estimated 250,000 Canadians) who are admitted to hospital every year pick up infections while being treated for something else.”

To promote awareness and encourage action on infectious diseases, partnering organizations have named October 18, 2007 National Infectious Diseases Day and will engage in advocacy activities with Members of Parliament and Senators throughout the day. Recommendations for preventing, treating, and controlling infectious diseases in Canada will be discussed as well as the need for research development.

Numerous healthcare professional associations, not-for-profit organizations, and industry officials have been invited to join in the day’s activities. National Infectious Disease Day partners will release a position paper on Thursday, October 18, 2007 and the results of the day’s activities will be disseminated at a later date. Dr. Michel Laverdière, president of AMMI Canada declares, “Developing and implementing a national infectious disease strategy would be a cost-effective investment for the long-term health and well-being of Canadians.”

National Infectious Disease Day takes place during International Infection Prevention Week, an event commemorated around the world and recognized by the World Health Organization.

Our Vision

Developing and implementing a national infectious disease strategy would be a
cost-effective investment for the long-term health and well-being of Canadians.