Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report
The Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report is a compilation of summaries of publicly available emergency management information concerning critical infrastructure.
A summary of feedback results is now available.
News | Cyber tracking | Relevant links | Note to readers
DIR09-228 - 27 November 2009
News
PHAC releases surveillance update for H1N1 flu virus associated deaths
Further to Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report DIR09-226, on November 26, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) issued an update on the number of deaths associated with the H1N1 flu virus in Canada. PHAC indicated that between November 24 and 26, 30 new deaths were reported across Canada: 2 in B.C., 6 in Alberta, 1 in Saskatchewan, 16 in Ontario, and 5 in Quebec. The total cumulative deaths associated to the H1N1 flu virus in Canada is now 309.
Source article – Public Health Agency of Canada, 26 November 2009
PHAC provides more information about H1N1 flu virus, a weekly FluWatch report and an H1N1 preparedness guide.
Low-cost device could detect H1N1 and other diseases
On November 26, media reported that scientific researchers in Manitoba have developed a low-cost device that could be used to detect H1N1 and other infectious diseases. The researchers, who won a $5,000 local innovation award for their work last week, indicate that the biochip sensor will allow the user to detect the flu virus in an hour for as little as $10 per test. Using current technology, such tests can cost a few hundred dollars each. The scientists also claim that the portable device can be calibrated to detect antibodies indicating the onset of other infectious diseases like SARS, HIV and hepatitis B, using a saliva test.
Source article – Winnipeg Free Press, 27 November 2009
Saskatchewan completes review of EMS and air medical services
On November 26, the Government of Saskatchewan released reports on the Province’s road and air ambulance systems, which will provide the basis for future planning and delivery of emergency medical services (EMS) in Saskatchewan. Among the key recommendations is a proposed shift to a system that is more mobile and integrated with other areas of the health care system. The report identified inter-hospital transfer fees and a lack of consistency in services across the province as areas of concern. The report also indicated that Saskatchewan road ambulance services responded to approximately 105,000 calls and Saskatchewan Air Ambulance provided about 1,600 flights in 2008-2009. The report findings will be considered during the 2010-2011 provincial budget.
Source article – Government of Saskatchewan, 26 November 2009
Cyber tracking
CCIRC security publications
Over the course of the past 24 hours, CCIRC has not released any security publications.
CCIRC provides a list of recent and archived security publications.
Threat and vulnerability monitoring
CCIRC is currently tracking the following computer-based threats and vulnerabilities for relevant impact on Canadian critical infrastructure. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to monitor and apply appropriate security precautions.
Relevant links
Below are links to sites related to Canada’s critical infrastructure.
- Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Health Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
Health Canada
- Disease Outbreak News
World Health Organization
- Travel Health Notices
Public Health Agency of Canada
- Transportation - Safety
Transport Canada
- Travel Reports and Warnings
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Weather warnings for Canada
Environment Canada
- Earthquakes
Earthquakes Canada
- Hurricanes
Canadian Hurricane Centre
- Hurricanes
U.S. National Hurricane Center
- News Releases
Infrastructure Canada
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Note to readers
Public Safety Canada collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and events concerning, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows Public Safety Canada to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.
Links to sites not under the control of the Government of Canada are provided solely for the convenience of users. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. The Government of Canada does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content.
Public Safety Canada respects the Official Languages Act and is committed to ensuring that information products are available in both English and French. However, users should be aware that some links direct users to sites of organizations or other entities that are not subject to the Official Languages Act and that these sources are only available in the language in which they are written.