Specimen testing strategy and the challenge in respiratory and enteric outbreak management in long-term care homes – The case of Ontario, Canada

James Ayukekbong, BMLS, MSc, PhD, CIC Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Infection Control Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and gastroenteritis represent a significant burden of illness in long-term care homes, and are a major cause of morbidity [1, 2, 3]. In Ontario, like other parts of Canada, a significant proportion of infections or outbreaks are caused by viral pathogens. Based on data from Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL), the most common viruses causing ARIs are influenza A and B, rhinovirus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, and metapneumovirus [4]. These respiratory viruses, though from different genera, can cause similar acute respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, low-grade fever, sneezing, ...