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June 28, 2013 – Itchy Rash Caused By Larvae Found in Shallow Waters Where Snails Abound

The Peterborough Public Health reminds local residents to avoid swimming in areas where snails thrive to prevent exposure to larvae which cause “Swimmer’s Itch”.

Swimmer’s Itch is often described as an itchy rash that swimmers develop after swimming in lakes and rivers.  It is caused by tiny larvae in the water that can come from snails and birds.  When swimmers emerge from the lake, the larvae are present on their wet skin.  As the water evaporates, the larvae attempt to burrow into the skin, creating an itchy rash, which may develop into small reddish pimples or blisters.  Swimmer’s Itch is not contagious, and the larvae cannot live in the swimmer’s skin.  Itchiness may last up to a week or more.  Affected persons should not scratch the rash, as secondary infections may develop.

To reduce or avoid the development of Swimmer’s Itch: 

  • Towel off briskly and thoroughly immediately after swimming
  • Do not swim or wade in shallow areas where snails are commonly found
  • Do not attract water birds by feeding them near swimming areas
  • Do not swim in areas where Swimmer’s Itch is a known problem

Many factors must be present for Swimmer’s Itch to become a problem in water.  Since these factors change (sometimes within a few days) the larvae responsible for Swimmer’s Itch will not always be present. For more information, visit Public Health’s website www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on “My Home & Environment” under “Beach Testing”.

The Public Health does not test beach water for these larvae, and therefore cannot post signage warning bathers of areas where Swimmer’s Itch may occur.

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For media inquiries please contact:                        For residents seeking further information:
Brittany Cadence                                                                         Speak with a Public Health Inspector at
Communications Supervisor                                                  705-743-1000
705-743-1000, ext. 391                                                          or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca

June 26, 2013 – 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 Sunday, June 23, 2013.

Even though 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 sun 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:

Shawn Telford
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 287

June 25, 2013 – Heat Alert Continue for Affected Areas

With the forecast of cooler temperatures and less humid air, Peterborough Public Health is downgrading the Heat Warning issued on Monday, June 24, 2013 to a Heat Alert. Peterborough City and County, as well as Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, continue to be under a Heat Alert however temperatures are forecasted to fall below the threshold of a heat alert later this week.

While the Heat Warning has been downgraded to a Heat Alert, 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:

Shawn Telford
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 287

June 25, 2013 – Air Quality Health Index Makes Its Debut in Peterborough

With summer approaching Peterborough Public Health is recommending that residents use a new online tool called the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI).  The Air Quality Health Index is a public information tool that helps Canadians protect their health on a daily basis from the negative effects of air pollution.

“The AQHI is a health protection tool that is designed to help you make decisions to protect your health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting your activity levels during increased levels of air pollution” explained Shawn Telford, Public Health Inspector.  “In addition, it provides advice on how you can improve the quality of the air you breathe.”

The index pays particular attention to people who are sensitive to air pollution and provides them with advice on how to protect their health during air quality levels associated with low, moderate, high and very high health risks.  The following is an image of the index and where the risks lie at each number.

Though each number is associated with a risk level, suggested levels of outdoor activity for individuals are dependent on whether you are a member of the general or at risk population.  Groups considered at risk include:

  • individuals with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions
  • the elderly
  • young children
  • those active outdoors (such as outdoor workers or athletes)

To find out if you are considered at higher risk of health concerns due to poor air quality, click here.

The Public Health wants to ensure that residents are aware that the AQHI is a recent initiative developed by Environment Canada, Health Canada, and Ontario ministries and is different from the previous Air Quality Index (AQI). The older version, AQI, reported air quality based on an array of pollutants and addressed each pollutant separately. The AQHI presents the immediate health risk of the combined effects of air pollution and is presented in a single scale (see above).

The following chart outlines the various health messages related to the AQHI with at risk population and the general population.

 

Health Risk

Air Quality Health Index

Health Messages

At Risk Population

General Population

Low Risk 1 – 3 Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. Ideal air quality for outdoor activities.
Moderate Risk 4 – 6 Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms. No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
High Risk 7 – 10 Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy. Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
Very High Risk Above
10
Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.

 

The AQHI for Peterborough is updated hourly by Environment Canada’s weather service and can be found by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and clicking on the section entitled “My Home & Environment – Air Quality – Outdoor”. Residents are encouraged to follow Public Health on Twitter, @PCCHU, for all the latest health updates.

 

For more information about the AQHI, please visit www.ec.gc.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Shawn Telford
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 287

June 24, 2013 – Residents Advised to Take Precautions to Avoid Heat-Related Illness

The Peterborough Public Health is upgrading its previous Heat Alert to a Heat Warning for Peterborough City and County based on forecasted temperatures for today and tomorrow to help residents cope with the continuing hot, humid weather.

A Heat Warning is issued when one of the following conditions is met:

 

  • daytime temperatures or Humidex are forecast to be at least 36°C or 36 for two consecutive days with a smog advisory; or
  • daytime temperatures or Humidex are forecast to be at least 40°C or Humidex reading of 40 for two consecutive days without a smog advisory; or
  • night time 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 today and tomorrow 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 particularly people with underlying chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, infants, and the elderly.

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.
  • Open windows to let air circulate when using a fan.
  • 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

 

Often with forecasted extreme heat, comes forecasts for poor air quality.  The Public Health would like to encourage residents to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on Environment Canada’s Weather page for Peterborough and plan outdoor activities accordingly http://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/onaq-013_e.html. This link can also be easily accessed on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca in the section entitled “My Home & Environment – Air Quality – Outdoor”.

 

Public, air conditioned facilities such as malls, libraries and community centres are available to city and county 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:

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

June 21, 2013 – Residents Advised to Take Precautions to Avoid Heat-Related Illness

 The Peterborough Public Health is issuing the area’s first Heat Alert of the season for Peterborough City and County.  The alert is issued for Sunday, June 23. 

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

People experiencing the above symptoms should seek the care of a health care provider.

Often with forecasted extreme heat, comes forecasts for poor air quality.  The Public Health would like to encourage residents to monitor the Air Quality Health Index found as a link on Environment Canada’s Weather page for Peterborough and plan outdoor activities accordingly http://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/onaq-013_e.html. This link can also be easily accessed on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca in the section entitled “My Home & Environment – Air Quality – Outdoor”.

Public, air conditioned facilities such as malls, libraries and community centres are available to city and county 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:

Shawn Telford
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 287

 

June 21, 2013 – 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 Atul Jain, Manager of Inspection Services 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 www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca, click on “My Home & Environment” and visit the webpage dedicated to blue-green algae.

To 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:

Atul Jain
Manager, Inspection Services
705-743-1000, ext. 259

 

June 20, 2013 – Public Health and AON Announce Conditional Sale of 185 King St.

AON Inc. and Peterborough Public Health announced today that they have reached a conditional deal to purchase the downtown office building at 185 King St.

“While there is still a great deal work to do to remove the conditions on our offer, we are very pleased about the opportunity to relocate to the downtown core,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “This location will enable us to bring all Public Health staff together under one roof and make our programs and clinics more accessible by transit and closer to related community services.”

Brad Smith, President of AON Inc. echoed these sentiments.  “We look forward to finalizing the sale and being a part of the relocation of these important services for the benefit of the community,” he said.  “This is an exciting moment for the future development of Downtown Peterborough and public health.”

Further details about the conditional offer will be made public as they become available.

 

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For further information, please contact:

 

Brittany Cadence                                                                             Ross McLeod

Communications Supervisor                                                       Director – Property Management

Peterborough Public Health                                  AON Inc.

(705) 743-1000, ext. 391                                                                (705) 742-5445

 

June 17, 2013 –  Click here to view the Board of Health Summary, June 12, 2013

June 13, 2013 –  Peterborough Public Health Advises Residents to Protect Themselves This Summer

The Peterborough Public Health is encouraging local residents to take precautions against West Nile virus (WNv), a potentially dangerous disease transmitted by mosquitoes from infected birds.

The Public Health has begun its 2013 Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program which includes mosquito surveillance of storm water management ponds and trapping live mosquitoes to test them for WNv. The Public Health also responds to complaints from local residents about standing water and enforces the City of Peterborough stagnant water by-law which states that standing water may not be present for more than four days on any property to limit the possibility of mosquito breeding.

West Nile virus is a 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, which are the main carriers of the disease.

West Nile virus 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.

In 2012, Peterborough had seven mosquito pools test positive for West Nile out of a total of 464 positive mosquito pools in Ontario with 605 in Canada. There were a total of 433 clinical cases and 17 asymptomatic infections reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Of the 433 clinical cases, 139 (32%) were classified as Neurological Syndrome, 244 (56%) as Non-Neurological Syndrome, and 50 (12%) as unclassified. There were six deaths across Canada associated with WNv. In the United States, there were 22,778 mosquito pools identified with West Nile virus and 5,674 human cases with 286 deaths.

For the best protection against West Nile virus, Public Health recommends the following:

  • Wear light coloured clothing (cover bare skin whenever possible)
  • Use insect repellents; those that contain DEET are most effective
  • Stay indoors at peak times (dawn and dusk)
  • Ensure there are no holes in window/door screens

Eliminating 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.

Residents collecting or handling dead birds should avoid contact with blood, body fluids, or punctures by using protection such as a small shovel, large tongs, or disposable gloves. Place dead birds in a leak-proof plastic bag and once finished remember to wash hands with soap and warm water.

The Public Health reminds the public that it no longer collects dead birds to be tested for West Nile. For more information on bird collection and submission please contact the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC) at 1-866-673-4781 or visit www.ccwhc.ca.

 

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For further information, please contact:
Dylan Mahoney or Laura MacMillian-Jones
Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 340 or 339