Send us a text

Measles is resurging in Canada, with particularly serious implications for pregnant patients and newborns. A recent CMAJ article, Five things to know about measles in pregnancy, outlines the risks and clinical considerations. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, we speak with one of the article’s co-authors, Dr. Michelle Barton-Forbes, about what physicians need to know when caring for pregnant patients during a measles outbreak. We also get an update on the current state of the outbreak in Canada from Dr. Marina Salvadori.

Dr. Michelle Barton-Forbes, division chief of infectious disease at the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, highlights the risks of measles in pregnancy, including atypical presentations, preterm labour, and rare but severe complications like subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. She discusses the limitations of existing research, current guidance on immunoglobulin use in newborns, and the use of vaccines during pregnancy.

Dr. Marina Salvadori, senior medical advisor at the Public Health Agency of Canada, describes the scope of the ongoing measles outbreaks and their concentration in undervaccinated communities. She explains the public health challenges of engaging with vaccine-hesitant populations and outlines practical steps physicians can take to support informed vaccination decisions and to prevent further spread of the virus.

This episode offers physicians clinical guidance on recognizing measles in pregnancy, managing exposures and complications, and navigating conversations about vaccination during an ongoing outbreak.

Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.

You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole

X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca

The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Send us a text

On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, hosts Dr. Mojola Omole and Dr. Blair Bigham speak with two authors of the latest “Hypertension Canada guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults in primary care”

The discussion reflects a shared urgency: despite past successes, Canada’s hypertension control rates are declining. The new guidelines aim to reverse this trend by simplifying diagnosis and treatment for frontline clinicians.

Dr. Rémi Goupil, a nephrologist and clinician researcher at Sacré-Cœur Hospital in Montreal, and Dr. Greg Hundemer, a nephrologist and clinician scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, explain that the updated guideline is deliberately designed for primary care providers. They highlight key shifts: lowering the diagnostic threshold for hypertension to ≥ 130/80 mm Hg, simplifying blood pressure targets, and emphasizing accurate, standardized measurement techniques both in clinic and at home. The guidelines were created with input from a majority-primary care committee—including family physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and patient partners—to ensure clinical applicability.

Together, the panel outlines a streamlined nine-step treatment algorithm, emphasizing combination therapy as first-line pharmacologic management. They explain the evidence supporting ARB–thiazide combinations, discuss cost considerations for drug selection, and address adherence challenges. They also explore red flags for secondary hypertension and how the algorithm supports—but does not replace—clinical judgment.

For physicians, this guideline offers a clear and practical roadmap: measure blood pressure correctly, aim for systolic pressure below 130 mm Hg, and use the simplified treatment sequence to improve adherence and outcomes. Designed to be easy to implement, the new approach aims to empower primary care providers to act with confidence.

Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.

You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole

X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca

The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Send us a text

The rising global burden of mosquito-borne viral infections has important implications for Canadian clinicians—particularly those assessing febrile patients returning from tropical and subtropical regions. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, infectious diseases specialists Dr. Maxime Billick and Dr. Stephen Vaughan explain what clinicians need to watch for as these viruses expand their geographic reach. Dr. Billick is the lead author of Five things to know about dengue, and Dr. Vaughan is the lead author of Five things to know about Oropouche virus, both published in CMAJ.

Dr. Maxime Billick describes the dramatic surge in dengue cases in 2024 and outlines the major drivers behind the virus’s global spread. She explains the urban-dwelling mosquito vectors that make dengue difficult to contain, discusses the virus’s four serotypes, and emphasizes the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement with reinfection. She reviews key clinical warning signs, diagnostic tests, and why identifying dengue—despite limited treatment options—still matters for patient counselling and care.

Dr. Stephen Vaughan introduces the less common but emerging Oropouche virus. He explains its current geographic range, including recent Canadian travel-related cases, and the role of biting midges in its transmission. Vaughan highlights early evidence of possible sexual transmission and the potential risks for fetal neurological complications if infection occurs during pregnancy. He also discusses symptom recurrence and what physicians should consider when counselling patients who may have been exposed.

Physicians should consider dengue and Oropouche virus in febrile returned travellers and prioritize preventive counselling before travel. Identifying the virus may not change treatment, but it can shape long-term risk awareness and help prevent future complications.

For more information from our sponsor, go to MedicusPensionPlan.com

Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.

You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole

X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca

The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions