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June 28. 2012 – Know The Risks and How to Protect Yourself
The Peterborough Public Health announced today that the season for blue-green algae has arrived on area lakes and is advising residents to protect themselves from this potential health risk.
“Blue-green algae blooms can come and go quickly in lakes, so residents should visit Public Health’s website or call us for information about what to look for before swimming or consuming water if they suspect a bloom in their area,” said Shawn Telford-Eaton, Acting Manager of Inspection Programs at Public Health. “Just as we’ve all learned how to avoid poison ivy and sunburns, it’s important to know how to protect ourselves from blue-green algae so everyone can still enjoy their summer safely.”

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria, called cyanobacteria, that are known for rapidly reproducing and collecting to form large, highly visible blooms throughout the water column, on the surface of water as a scum, or on the lake bottom as a mat. These blooms are not only unsightly and smelly: some species of cyanobacteria can also release poisons, called cyanobacterial toxins, when the cells that make up the bloom rupture or die.
The risk to humans is primarily from drinking water that has been contaminated with toxins from a dense algae bloom. Fortunately, there have been no human deaths attributed to drinking water containing cyanobacterial toxins, but the toxins may cause headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Long-term consumption of water containing high levels of cyanobacterial toxins may cause neurological or liver problems. If allowed, farm animals and pets may consume large quantities of heavily contaminated water, resulting in sickness or death.
Some individuals are sensitive to blue-green algae, and may develop a mild skin rash or eye irritation even if there is no toxin produced by the bloom. Some individuals will have no reaction.

For more information on blue-green algae, and precautions to be taken before swimming in or consuming water where there has been an algae bloom, go to Peterborough Public Health website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
If report a blue-green algae bloom, residents are advised to contact the Ministry of the Environment at 1-800-268-6060.

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For further information, please contact:

Shawn Telford-Eaton
Acting Manager, Inspection Programs
705-743-1000, ext. 287

June 27, 2012 – The first charges have been laid under the City of Peterborough’s bylaw prohibiting smoking in all municipally-owned parks.

The charges were laid against individuals violating the no smoking bylaw on June 20 by Peterborough Public Health’s Tobacco Enforcement Officer. The fine for smoking in a city park is $305.

The charges were laid because Public Health and City staff received public complaints about outdoor smoking in city parks. Any person using a park who sees people smoking within park boundaries may report a violation by phoning the Tobacco Enforcement Officer at (705) 743-1000, ext. 245.

“The City of Peterborough is doing its part of contributing to a smoke-free society. Many communities in Canada and across Ontario have embraced similar restrictions or bans on smoking in public outdoor spaces,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Now it’s time for the community to step up to the plate and make the changes they want to continue denormalizing tobacco use for everyone’s good health.”

“The City has utilized a phased in approach since 2009 to expand the ban on smoking at city-owned beaches, playgrounds, wading pools, sport fields, and within all city parks. The public’s response has been quite positive,” said Rob Anderson, Recreation Division Coordinator. “We are confident that further promotion of healthy living and compliance with the smoking bylaw will result in fewer charges being laid.”
On May 1, the final phase of the city’s four-year plan to ban smoking in all city parks came into effect. The no smoking bylaw now covers all 169 city parks and sports fields, with the exception of three parks that have a designated smoking area. Healthy living and care for the environment have driven this initiative.
Earlier in the year, the city hired event monitors to attend sporting events to issue warnings and increase awareness about smoke-free parks. City recreation staff also provided all local sporting leagues with information about the new bylaw to share with referees, team officials, and players. In addition, the city launched a radio campaign in May promoting smoke-free parks.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

June 22, 2012 – Public Health Continues to Monitor Forecast for Extreme Heat Conditions

With the forecast of cooler temperatures and less humid air, Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Heat Warning issued on Monday, June 18, 2012 effective today, Friday, June 22, 2012.

The Public Health has adopted a series of extreme heat thresholds designed to advise the public, health professionals and community service providers on appropriate measures they can take to reduce the health effects of hot, humid and smoggy weather. These advisories, comprised of a Heat Alert, Heat Warning and Heat Emergency, are issued when a hot or humid air mass is forecast and weather related health effects may occur.

While the Heat Warning has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in hot weather, including drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, keeping their homes cool and staying out of the heat whenever possible. The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the summer and issue heat alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted. Further information about staying healthy in extreme heat conditions and Public Health’s Heat Alert and Response System can be found on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca .

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For further information, please contact:
Julie Ingram
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 351
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June 20, 2012 – Public Health Begins 2012 Beach Sampling Program for Water Quality
This week Public Health Inspectors from the Peterborough County City Public Health began monitoring the water quality at public beaches throughout Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough.

Residents wanting to know the status of water quality at various beaches can visit Public Health’s website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca for current results. Residents can also call PCCHU at 705-743-1000 to find out which beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria or which have been posted as unsafe for swimming due to poor water quality.

The 2012 beach sampling season started on June 18, 2012 and ends on August 31, 2012. The following public beaches are monitored by Public Health:

City of Peterborough beaches:

  • Roger’s Cove Beach (131 Maria St, Peterborough)
  • Beavermead Beach (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough)

 

Peterborough County beaches:

  • Chandos Beach (Hwy 620, North Kawartha)
  • Curve Lake Lance Wood Park (Chemong St. S., Curve Lake)
  • Curve Lake Henry’s Gumming (Whetung St. E., Curve Lake)
  • Douro Park (205 Douro Second Line, Douro-Dummer)
  • Ennismore Park Beach (1053 Ennis Rd., Ennismore)
  • Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Rd., Bridgenorth)
  • Hiawatha Beach (1 Lakeshore Rd, Hiawatha)
  • Lakefield Beach (100 Hague Blvd., Lakefield)
  • Norwood Beach(12 Belmont St., Norwood)
  • Quarry Bay Beach(1986 Northey’s Bay Rd, Woodview)
  •  Sandy Beach (Lakehurst Rd., Lakehurst)
  • Selwyn Conservation Area (2251 Birch Island Rd., Selwyn)
  • Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Rd., South Monaghan)
  • Warsaw Caves (289 Caves Rd., Warsaw)

The two public beaches in the City of Peterborough are sampled by Public Health Inspectors once each business day. Public beaches in Peterborough County are sampled at least once every week except for Chandos Beach and Quarry Bay Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July and August.
Public beaches are posted with a “WARNING: Unsafe for Bathing” sign when lab results show the water samples to contain more than the accepted bathing water standard of E.coli. The posted sign indicates that an elevated level of bacteria in the water may pose a risk to your health if you choose to swim. Swimming in beaches that are posted can cause ear, eye, nose, throat and skin infections as well as possible diarrhea if the water is ingested.

Beaches may also be posted if high levels of rainfall are recorded from the previous day. Beaches will remain posted until additional water tests show satisfactory results and meet the bathing water standard.

There are many factors that contribute to elevated levels of bacteria in our beach water, including:

  • Heavy rainfall
  • Large numbers of waterfowl
  • High winds or wave activity
  • Large numbers of swimmers

How can you help protect the water quality?

  • Do not feed waterfowl
  • Do not let children swim in soiled diapers
  • Pick up your garbage
  •  Clean up after your dog

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For further information, please contact:
Mandy Kwan
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 290

June 18, 2012 – Residents Advised to Take Precautionsto Avoid Heat-Related Illness

The Peterborough Public Health is issuing a Heat Warning for Peterborough City and County for Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20 to help residents prepare for the hot, humid weather forecast for the next few days.
A Heat Warning is issued when the daytime temperatures or Humidex are forecast to be at least 36°C or 36 for two consecutive days with a smog advisory, at least 40°C or Humidex reading of 40 for two consecutive days without a smog advisory or nighttime temperatures are forecast to be at least 25°C for two consecutive nights. This heat warning is being issued because Humidex readings are expected to reach at least 40 for the next two days without a smog advisory.
During a Heat Warning, Public Health advises the suspension of strenuous outdoor sports activities and asks that caretakers and family members check more frequently on vulnerable groups.
Extreme heat events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, shut-ins, persons with chronic diseases, the morbidly obese and the marginally housed. Heat related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are preventable. Most healthy people can tolerate a short period of hot and humid weather as long as they stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
People taking medications may be more vulnerable to extreme heat as certain medications may interfere with the body’s cooling functions and water/salt retention. People taking antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-Parkinson’s agents are more likely to experience difficulty adapting to high temperatures and should consult with their healthcare provider to see if they are at an increased health risk in the heat.
In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices even if you don’t feel very thirsty.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.
  • Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat when possible. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible and plan to go out early in the morning or evening when it is cooler.
  • Go to air conditioned or cool places such as shopping malls, libraries, community centres or a friend’s place.
  • If you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home, but keep windows slightly open.
  • Keep lights off or turned down low.
  • Wear loose fitting, light clothing and a wide brimmed hat.
  • Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
  • Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.
  • Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • heavy sweating
  • muscle cramps
  • weakness
  • headache
  • fainting
  • paleness, tiredness
  • dizziness, nausea

The following air conditioned public facilities area available to local city residents seeking a place to cool off:

  • Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Rd
  • Kinsmen Civic Centre, 777 Sherbrooke St
  • Peterborough Memorial Centre, 121 Lansdowne St. W
  • Northcrest Arena, 100 Marina Blvd Wellness Centre ,775 Brealey Drive
  • Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N.

For county residents a full list of air conditioned public facilities can be found on our www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca .
Residents are advised to phone in advance to determine hours of operation.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

 

 

Click here to view the Board of Health Meeting Summary June 13, 2012

June 15, 2012 – Vaccination Rates Directly Linked to Spread of Disease

Approximately 50 community members gathered yesterday to learn and ask questions about the importance of vaccinations at the “Immunize…Why Not?” event organized by Peterborough Public Health featuring Dr. Peter Hughes, local pediatrician and child health advocate.
“For every vaccine developed, disease rates go down. In fact, vaccination has saved more lives in Canada than any other public health intervention,” said Dr. Hughes. “Where vaccination rates decline, diseases come back, as we’ve seen in the United States where the number of measles cases in 2011 quadrupled to 222 due to fewer people getting immunized.”
Dr. Hughes noted how measles cases in the U.S. have started rising again as unvaccinated people catch the disease during their travels, especially to Europe where vaccination rates are lower. This is partially due to the enduring controversy over the vaccine’s safety from a refuted article linking it to autism that appeared in 1998 in the British medical journal The Lancet. Subsequent research around the world using large study cohorts failed to show any link between measles and autism and the original 1998 article was retracted and the author was charged with scientific misconduct.
“Some people believe they don’t have to get vaccinated because everyone around them is already protected. This is called herd immunity. However, with increasing world travel we now live in a global herd so it’s even more important to keep your immunizations up to date.” Dr. Hughes compared vaccination to wearing a seat belt, a similar public safety intervention that was originally met with opposition but is now used by almost everyone because they realize the life-saving benefits far outweigh the very low risks associated with them.

Dr. Hughes also covered vaccine safety, the realities of adverse reactions, and addressed concerns about preservatives used in some vaccines. A number of audience members asked questions following his presentation giving everyone a chance to learn more about current vaccine recommendations and schedules.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

June 13, 2012 – Public Health Releases 2011 Reportable Disease Report
According to the 2011 Reportable Disease Report released today by Peterborough Public Health, chlamydia tops the list as the most frequently reported communicable disease in our community last year.
Of the 710 confirmed cases of all reportable diseases locally in 2011, 402 of those were chlamydia. However, for the first time since 2005, the total number of chlamydia cases went down from the previous year, with 43 fewer cases in 2011 than in 2010, or a 9.5% decrease. Still, since 2005 the number of local chlamydia cases has increased by 69.6%.
“Chlamydia is the most widespread bacterial sexually-transmitted infection in Canada, so it’s not surprising that local rates are also proportionally higher than other reportable diseases,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “This increasing trend has been occurring in Ontario and across Canada since 1997. Some of the increase seen in Peterborough since 2005 may be partially attributable to better screening programs and more sensitive testing procedures.”
Overall, there was a 7.2% increase in the total number of reportable communicable diseases in 2011 from 2010. Other highlights from the report include:

Just over one-third (266 or 37.5%) of all cases in 2011 occurred in the first quarter (January through March) largely as a result of a number of institutional influenza outbreaks. Approximately two-thirds (459 or 64.4%) of all the illnesses reported to Public Health occurred in females. Influenza represents the largest contributor of respiratory illnesses locally, with 142 cases in 2011 compared to five cases in 2010, however provincial testing requirements in the post-H1N1 outbreak may have affected the number of cases reported to Public Health in 2010. There was a decrease in the number and relative frequency of reportable diseases caused by food and waterborne routes, largely due to a reduction in the number of reported cases of giardiasis. An increase in the number of encephalitis/meningitis cases in 2011.
To see the full report, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca, click on “Plans and Reports” and then click on the link for “Reportable Diseases in Peterborough County and City 2011” on the left side bar.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Officer
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

June 12, 2012 – Public Health Begins Local Testing forTwo Mosquito-Borne Diseases

The Peterborough Public Health encourages local residents to take precautions against insect bites this season as it begins testing local mosquitoes for West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE).
“While the risk to local public health is low, it’s important to monitor local mosquito populations for these diseases so we can advise residents if this risk changes,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Weather plays a big role each year in the spread of West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis as it affects mosquito breeding conditions.”
In 2011, there were 278 positive WNV pools in Ontario, with three in the Peterborough area. There were 69 human cases of WNV in Ontario last year. There has never been a human case of EEE recorded in Ontario, however it has been found in horses in some areas of the province.

WNV is a potentially dangerous disease that anyone can get from the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes can transmit the virus after becoming infected by feeding on the blood of wild birds, the main carriers of the disease.

PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
What: Mosquito Pool Sampling with Public Health Staff
When: Friday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: NW corner of Sherbrooke & Glenforest, storm water management pond

WNV is not contagious. It is only transmitted through blood and cannot be transmitted by human-to-human contact. Humans can only acquire West Nile Virus from the bite of an infected mosquito.
EEE is another mosquito virus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease can cause severe inflammation of the brain in horses and humans. Although, some people only experience mild symptoms, EEE is fatal in about one-third of cases. It is currently occuring throughout North, Central, and South America; the Caribbean; and the coastal region of eastern Canada.

For the best protection against West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Public Health recommends the following:
• Wear light coloured clothing (cover bare skin whenever possible)
• Use insect repellents: those containing DEET are most effective
• Stay indoors at peak times (dawn and dusk)
• Make sure there are no holes in window/door screens

As part of its Vector Borne Disease Prevention Program, Public Health has initiated mosquito surveillance by sampling storm water management ponds for larvae and trapping mosquitoes to test them for WNV and EEE. The Public Health also responds to complaints from local residents about standing water and enforces the City of Peterborough by-law which states, standing water may not be present for more than four days on any property to limit the possibility of mosquito breeding.

Eliminating any standing water is also an important approach to reducing mosquito breeding, especially in urban settings. This includes water found in common areas such as birdbaths, old tires, rain barrels, neglected swimming pools, gutters/eaves troughs, clogged drainage ditches, plant saucers, children’s toys, and boats/canoes. This will prevent mosquitoes that may carry WNV from breeding around your home.

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For further information, please contact:

Dylan Mahoney or Elizabeth Finlan
Vector Borne Disease Prevention Program
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 340 or 339

June 7, 2012 – Location: Hiawatha First Nation, Administration Building

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 starting at 4:45 p.m. in the Administration Building, Lower Hall, located at 123 Paudash Street, Hiawatha First Nation.
To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:
http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/boh-agenda

The meeting is open to the community and members of the media.

For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
Peterborough County-City Health