On May 5, 2023, the Lieutenant Governor in Council of Prince Edward Island approved amendments to the Public Health Act’s Notifiable Diseases and Conditions and Communicable Diseases Regulations. These changes, which took effect on May 13, 2023, aim to update and refine the list of diseases that must be reported to public health authorities, enhancing disease tracking and management.

The primary modification involves expanding the list of notifiable diseases. Specifically, Subsection 1.1(1) of the regulations was amended to include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among the diseases transmitted via respiratory routes. RSV is a common virus that causes respiratory infections, particularly in young children and the elderly. 

Additionally, the regulations updated the list of vector-borne or zoonotic diseases, which are diseases transmitted from animals to humans through vectors such as ticks or mosquitoes. The previous list was revised to include new conditions and remove outdated ones. The updated list now includes:

• • • Anaplasmosis
    • Anthrax
    • Arbovirus
    • Babesiosis
    • Brucellosis
    • Lyme disease
    • Malaria
    • Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox)
    • Plague
    • Rabies
    • Tularaemia
      

Another notable amendment is the renaming of monkeypox to mpox. This change aligns with the updated terminology recommended by health authorities to reduce stigma and confusion associated with the disease. Section 2 of the amendment specifically addresses the renaming of monkeypox to mpox, making it clear that this updated terminology should be used in all related public health documentation and communications.

These changes aim to improve public health surveillance, response, and communication regarding infectious diseases. 

Prince Edward Island (EC2023-338) May 13, 2023.