Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN) (Health Canada)

Contacts
Ron St. John
Office of Public Health Security
Health Canada
Sean Lake
Research and Technology Division
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 952-6420
Fax: (613) 946-9867
E-mail: Sean_Lake@hc-sc.gc.ca

Zheng Wang
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-3920
Fax: (613) 957-0381
E-mail: Zheng_Wang@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Database URL
http://gphinweb.itssti.hc-sc.gc.ca

Purpose of Database
Intended to provide 24 hour-per-day, 7 day-a-week monitoring of global infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters in terms of the details of outbreak events. The goal is to identify potential international health risks and to provide an early warning to programs and public health clients (e.g., the World Health Organization) who assess and manage risk.

Content
Data on natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks or epidemics (e.g., total number of cases and deaths, location, duration, initial control efforts, etc.). Also provides information on therapeutic product (e.g., drug) recalls and announcements, product safety, food and water safety, and radiation safety. The database contains current news articles; no individual case records are included. Information is posted for a 15-day period only. English, French and Spanish texts are included. Data types: epidemiologic, demographic, geographic, health outcome, risk factors, clinical, environmental.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
2001 (latest year)

Data Updates
Live

Data Providers
News media wires and networks; the Internet; Reuters and online information service providers (Dialog, Informart).

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted, and password authentication is required. Secure sockets layer (SSL) and Livelink/Domino password authentification are in effect. Access is granted to select individuals from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, World Health Organization, Dept of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and within Health Canada: Safe Environments Programme, Infectious Diseases Bureau, Therapeutic Products Programme, and Radiation Safety Bureau.

Reports
Current news articles specified; information is posted for a 15-day period only. English, French and Spanish texts are included.