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July 31, 2012 – Public Health Stresses Why It’s Important To Be Tick Smart This Summer 

The Peterborough Public Health is encouraging all residents to educate themselves and be aware of Lyme disease, a potentially serious illness and growing health concern across Ontario. 

“It is important that everyone, from the occasional outdoor adventurist to the avid camper, is aware of how Lyme disease spreads and what precautions to take to avoid becoming infected,” said Elizabeth Finlan of Public Health’s Vector Borne Disease Program.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.  Blacklegged ticks are small in size (1-5 mm when unfed), red-brown in colour and do not fly. They are usually found low to the ground or settled on tall grasses and bushes where they will wait until they can attach themselves to a person or animal passing by.

Blacklegged ticks become infected with the Lyme disease-causing bacterium after feeding on the blood of infected birds or other small animals such as mice and squirrels.  Once infected, blacklegged ticks can spread the bacterium to humans if they remain attached for more than 24 hours after they have begun feeding. 

For the best protection against Lyme disease, Public Health recommends: 

  • Wearing light-coloured clothing, which will make ticks easier to see.
  • Wearing closed footwear and socks, long sleeved shirts and long pants and tucking your pants into your socks.
  • Using a bug repellent that contains DEET, following the manufacturer’s directions.
  • Searching your body for ticks at least once a day if you are in an area where you might encounter a tick, paying special attention to the scalp, groin, back of the knees and armpits.
  • Checking your pets for ticks.  Although Lyme disease cannot be spread from pets to humans, pets can bring ticks into your home so it is important to check them for ticks regularly.
  • Keeping your lawn neatly mowed and removing leaf debris on a regular basis, which will help to reduce humidity in your yard and lower your risk of encountering ticks.

In Ontario, tick populations are expanding, creating a rise in the number of Lyme disease cases.  In 2011, there were a total of 140 cases of Lyme disease acquired in Ontario compared to 96 cases in 2010.  Regions of the province with well established tick populations include areas that border the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River as well as several provincial parks but tick populations are expanding into new regions of the province including Eastern Ontario. Ticks can attach themselves to migratory birds and travel anywhere in the province, so it is important to take proper precautions against Lyme disease when outdoors in any potential tick habitat, even if it is your own backyard.

If you do locate a tick on your body, it is important to have the tick removed immediately.  Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull the tick straight out.  Save the tick in an empty screw-top bottle or zipper-closed bag and take it to Public Health at 185 King Street.  The tick will then be sent away to the Ontario Public Health Laboratory for identification.  If the tick is positively identified as a blacklegged tick, it will be sent for further analysis and tested for the presence of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the infectious agent of Lyme disease.

If you have travelled to an area that is known to have a population of blacklegged ticks or Lyme disease, be aware of the following symptoms as they may indicate early stages of the disease: fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and fatigue.  Redness or a bulls-eye shaped skin rash at the site of the bite is also a common sign of Lyme disease. If you are exhibiting these signs or symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

For further information, visit the Lyme disease section of Public Health’s website.

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For further information, please contact:

Elizabeth Finlan
Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 339

Click here to view the Board of Health Meeting Summary July 26, 2012

July 27, 2012 – Public Health Advises Residents to Protect Themselves from Mosquito Bites

The Peterborough Public Health is advising the public that mosquitoes in the City of Peterborough have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) for a second time.  The mosquitoes were trapped in the Avenues area of Peterborough, the same location where the first positive results were identified. 

“Now that we’ve identified mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in our area more than once, it’s especially important that residents take care to prevent mosquito bites,” said Donna Churipuy, Manager of the Environmental Health program at Public Health. “We all have a role to play in terms of preventing bites by using insect repellent and by eliminating standing water on our property to help reduce mosquito breeding grounds.”

During the summer and early fall, mosquitoes are trapped and tested for WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) every week throughout Peterborough City and County.  The Peterborough Public Health had three positive mosquito pools in 2011.

There have been no human cases of WNV identified in Peterborough City or County in 2012.  Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not show any symptoms.  In rare cases, there may be more serious symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion and tremors.  Older adults are usually more affected than children. Individuals experiencing severe headache, fever, body ache, nausea, vomiting and rash, should consult a physician.  Symptoms usually develop between two and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Although the risk of becoming infected is low, prevention against bites is the best protection.  Residents are strongly advised to use personal protective measures while outdoors to avoid mosquito bites.  These measures include:

  • using a Health Canada approved insect repellant containing DEET
  • wearing light-coloured clothing and covering up when in areas where mosquitoes are present
  • taking extra precautions, especially in early morning and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active
  • remove standing water around your home and vacation property

It is extremely important that residents continue to eliminate standing water on their properties which may serve as mosquito breeding sites. For additional information on protection measures against West Nile virus such as reducing mosquito breeding sites and the safe use of insect repellents, please consult Public Health’s website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca

The Public Health is also reminding residents that it no longer collects dead birds for WNV testing and that they can dispose of the birds themselves.  For information on the safe disposal of dead birds please visit the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Care Centre at http://www.ccwhc.ca/

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

July 27, 2012 – Postcard Campaign Highlights Gap in Support For Adults With Severe Dental Problems

While most postcards depict scenic vacation getaway spots, a new ‘dental’ postcard shows how oral care for some Ontario adults is far from picture-perfect.

The postcard is part of a province-wide advocacy campaign being launched by the Ontario Oral Health Alliance. The alliance is an umbrella organization formed in 2007 to unite the voices of those in Ontario who lobby and advocate for better access to oral health. In this area, members of Peterborough Public Health, Peterborough Social Planning Council, and the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network encourage area residents to sign the postcards, which are addressed to their local Member of Provincial Parliament, at participating locations across the community.

The campaign’s postcard features photos of five ‘real’ Ontarians with severe dental problems smiling through gritted teeth. A caption below the pictures reads: ‘Why am I living with pain and infection?’ On the back of the postcard, the Oral Health Alliance notes that thousands of Ontario adults suffer with pain and infection from poor oral health because they cannot afford to get regular dental treatment. People are urged to sign the postcards to lobby the Province to expand financial-support programs to include adults who cannot afford basic dental treatment.

“Adults with severe dental pain and infection are suffering in silence,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We know that oral health impacts on a person’s overall health and somehow we must find a way to expand Healthy Smiles Ontario to include all low-income Ontarians who currently have no dental coverage.”

The Ontario Oral Health Alliance estimates one in three Ontarians cannot afford to get regular dental treatment. High costs and lack of dental insurance are some of the main barriers. In 2008, the provincial government committed to develop a program to pay dental costs for low-income families. Financial-assistance programs were created or expanded, but only cover dental treatment for low-income children – not adults.

“Steps have been taken to help children get better access to dental care, but there is still a gap for adults who require emergency dental care,” says Stephen Kylie, Chair of the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network. “We want to give voice to the problem and encourage people in Peterborough City and County to sign a dental postcard so that we can close this gap.”

‘Chantal’, a Kingston woman in her late 20s, is one of the five people pictured on the postcard. In a YouTube video recorded as part of the campaign, Chantal holds back tears explaining she cannot afford to get regular dental care. She also suffers from severe toothaches and infection, and has few options but to get treatment for her pain at the local hospital emergency room. In the video, she acknowledges having low self-esteem and lack of confidence due to her poor oral health. She also believes her appearance has prevented her from obtaining employment. “I am embarrassed, and sometimes have to cover my mouth,” Chantal says. “I want to be able to smile and mean it…I’m tired of not being able to be the person I want to be because of my teeth.”

Postcards can be picked up at the Community Dental Health Centre and the Peterborough Social Planning Council offices, both located in Peterborough Square at 360 George St. North.  They will also be made available at various health events during the year.

For more details about the campaign, local residents can call (705) 743-1000, ext. 207 or visit www.oaphd.on.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Sarah Tanner
Dental Program Supervisor
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 207

or

Anna Rusak
Ontario Oral Health Alliance representative and Health Promoter with Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Public Health
(905) 885-9100

July 26, 2012 – Credible, Easy-to-Find Public Health Information Now at Community’s Fingertips

Today Peterborough Public Health launched its new website – www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca – to make it easier for residents to find the credible public health information they need to stay healthy and prevent illness and disease.

“Visitors to our new website will notice a much improved experience with a new design that is easier to follow by audience type and more robust search functionality,” said Brittany Cadence, Communications Supervisor.  “The new website is also completely integrated with social media tools because we know many of our residents value accessing and sharing reliable health information this way.”

Ms. Cadence explained that evaluations of its previous website showed that 25% of visitors were not finding the health information they were looking for.  The new website was designed according to best practices in public health communications and refined following months of audience feedback.

“We especially wanted to improve our website so it’s ready when the next serious public health situation hits,” said Ms. Cadence.  “Depending on the circumstances, such as a pandemic or environmental disaster, it’s vital to get information out to the public lightning-fast.  We wanted to make sure our website and social media channels were in place to keep the public well-informed and safe.”  She noted that websites are especially valuable when a large scale public health crisis emerges because local situations can differ greatly from what’s happening in other major centres, so it’s key that residents know where to find accurate and credible information quickly.

Features of the new website:

  • Health topics organized by stage of life: Adults, Youth, Parents & Caregivers, and Older Adults
  • A-Z health topic index
  • Fully integrated with Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
  • Health alerts featured in red on homepage when activated
  • Greater use of multimedia information and interactive features, such as videos, downloads, and online educational resources
  • Dedicated “For Professionals” section with targeted information specific to healthcare providers, teachers and other business operators.
  • More local imagery used throughout website featuring local people and places of Peterborough City and County

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For further information, please contact:

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

 

Jul 20, 2012 – Location: General Committee Room, City Hall, Peterborough

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 4:45 p.m. in the General Committee Room, City Hall, 500 George Street North in Peterborough.

To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:

http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas

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

For further information, please contact:

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

July 18, 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 Alert issued on Friday, July 13, 2012 effective today, Wednesday, July 18, 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 Alert 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

 

July 16, 2012 – Public Health Advises Residents to Protect Themselves From Mosquito Bites

The Peterborough Public Health is advising the public that mosquitoes in the City of Peterborough have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).  The mosquitoes were trapped July 9, 10, and 11, 2012.

This is the first positive mosquito pool found in the City of Peterborough this year.  As of last week, 10 positive mosquito pools had been found in Ontario.

“Now that we’ve identified mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus are present in our area, it’s especially important that residents take care to prevent mosquito bites,” said Shawn Telford-Eaton, Acting Manager of Inspection Services with Public Health. “We all have a role to play in terms of preventing bites by using insect repellent and by eliminating standing water on our property to help reduce mosquito breeding grounds.”

West Nile Virus audio-clip[to hear this audio clip, click here]

During the summer and early fall, mosquitoes are trapped and tested for WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) every week throughout Peterborough City and County.  The Peterborough Public Health had three positive mosquito pools in 2011.

There have been no human cases of WNV identified in Peterborough City or County in 2012.  Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not show any symptoms.  In rare cases, there may be more serious symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion and tremors.  Older adults are usually more affected than children. Individuals experiencing severe headache, fever, body ache, nausea, vomiting and rash, should consult a physician.  Symptoms usually develop between two and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Although the risk of becoming infected is low, prevention against bites is the best protection.  Residents are strongly advised to use personal protective measures while outdoors to avoid mosquito bites.  These measures include:

  • using a Health Canada approved insect repellant containing DEET
  • wearing light-coloured clothing and covering up when in areas where mosquitoes are present
  • taking extra precautions, especially in early morning and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active
  • remove standing water around your home and vacation property

It is extremely important that residents continue to eliminate standing water on their properties which may serve as mosquito breeding sites. For additional information on protection measures against West Nile virus such as reducing mosquito breeding sites and the safe use of insect repellents, please consult Public Health’s website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

The Public Health is also reminding residents that it no longer collects dead birds for WNV testing and that they can dispose of the birds themselves.  For information on the safe disposal of dead birds please visit the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Care Centre at http://www.ccwhc.ca/

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 For further information, please contact:

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

 

July 13, 2012 – Public Health Issues Heat Alert for Peterborough City and County

Residents Advised to Take Precautions to Avoid Heat-Related Illness

The Peterborough Public Health is issuing a Heat Alert for Peterborough City and County beginning Sunday, July 15 that is expected to continue until Wednesday, July 18. The Public Health has been closely monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend and early next week. This Heat Alert is being issued to help residents prepare for the hot, humid weather in the forecast.

A Heat Alert is issued when the daytime temperatures or Humidex are forecast to be at least 36°C or 36 for two or more consecutive days without a smog advisory. Depending on changes to the weather forecast over the next few days, the Heat Alert may be elevated to a Heat Warning or lifted.

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

Public, air conditioned facilities such as malls, libraries and community centres are available to residents seeking a place to cool off. Residents are advised to phone in advance to determine hours of operation.

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For further information, please contact:
Julie Ingram
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 351

July 10, 2012 – Health Canada would like to remind Canadians of the importance of handling fresh produce safely to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Click here to learn more…