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December 31, 2013 – To help vulnerable residents cope with the continuing extreme cold weather, Peterborough Public Health is upgrading its previous Frostbite Alert to a Frostbite Warning for Peterborough City and County and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations because of forecasted wind chill values of -41 for Wednesday, January 1, 2014 and Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Frostbite Warnings are the second level in Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan and are issued when temperatures are forecasted to be from -39ºC to -47ºC or a wind chill of -39 to -47.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Reduce time spent outdoors and consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially in the evenings. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Reminding children and the elderly to stay indoors
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

 

Cold related illnesses include:

 

Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.
                                                                                                                                                               

Frostbite:

Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Julie Ingram
Public Health Inspector
(705) 743-1000, ext. 351

Monday, December 30, 2013, The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for this evening (December 30) because of a forecasted wind chill of -30.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed. 

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

 Cold related illnesses include:

 Hypothermia: 
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

 Frostbite:          
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 For further information, please contact:

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

December 27, 2013 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued for December 25th and 26th for residents of Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.

Even though the Frostbite Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in cold weather, including dressing warmly and in layers, watching for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and checking on the elderly and people with disabilities who live alone.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the winter and issue frostbite alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted temperatures or wind chill values reach thresholds as indicated in the Extreme Cold Response Plan. 

Further information about staying healthy in extreme cold conditions and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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For further information, please contact:
Donna Churipuy
Manager, Environmental Health
705-743-1000, ext. 218

December 24, 2013 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for Wednesday, December 25th because of a forecasted wind chill of -32.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:

Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Frostbite:

Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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For further information, please contact:
Donna Churipuy
Manager, Environmental Health
705-743-1000, ext. 318

December 23, 2013 – Food Handler Training Courses Offered Free of Charge at Public Health

The Peterborough Public Health is reminding residents and food premises that a new by-law takes effect in the City and County of Peterborough on January 1, 2014 making it mandatory for high-risk food premises to have at least one certified food handler working in a supervisory capacity on site at all times.

“We look forward to working with our food premises partners to increase the number of certified food handlers overseeing how food is prepared in our community,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Local establishments have been receptive to this new by-law and understand that educating staff that handle food has been shown to improve inspection results and reduce food borne illness.”

High-risk food premises are those that handle food with multiple preparation steps, and/or who serve people at greatest health risks for food-borne illnesses, such as nursing homes, hospitals and some restaurants.  On January 1, 2015, the by-law will extend to include moderate-risk food premises such as fast-food establishments, chip trucks and bakeries that have fewer preparation steps and generally serve healthier populations. Low-risk premises which do not prepare food but simply store and sell food such as convenience stores are exempt from the by-law.

A certified food handler is someone who has completed the Food Handler Training and Certification Course offered by Public Health or an equivalent course.  The course covers:

 

  • proper food handling techniques with an emphasis on temperature control
  • legislation and the role of Public Health
  • chemical, physical and biological hazards in food
  • personal hygiene
  • cleaning and sanitizing

 

Peterborough City and County join other jurisdictions that have passed similar by-laws such as cities of Toronto, Hamilton, Brantford and London, as well as Niagara Region and parts of Essex County.

The Peterborough Public Health remains one of only a few health units in Ontario that continues to offer Food Handler Training and Certification Courses to residents free of charge.  Over 13,000 people have taken this course and received their certification from Public Health since 1997.  Individuals or businesses wishing to take the Food Handler Training and Certification Course should call Public Health at 705-743-1000.  Further information about the course is also available on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca in the “My Work” section under Food Services.

 

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For further information contact:

Chris Eaton
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 225

 

 

 

December 18, 2013 – The Peterborough Public Health reported the first local lab-confirmed case of seasonal influenza today.

“The case is lab-confirmed cases for influenza A, and we now know that seasonal influenza is circulating in our local population,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “Usually there are more cases of influenza in the community than are reported by the lab so we strongly encourage residents to get their flu shot to protect themselves and others – it’s not too late.”

The flu shot is recommended for everyone over six months of age.  It is especially important for people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, young children, the elderly and anyone who takes care of people in these groups.

Flu shots are widely available at many local pharmacies, from physician offices, and the walk-in clinic at Lansdowne Place Mall above the Supercentre.

The Public Health is also offering by-appointment clinics exclusively for families of young children under five years old at its location on 185 King Street on the following dates:

 

Saturday, December 21, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

                Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

                Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To book an appointment, please call 705-743-1000, ext. 139.

Dr. Salvaterra advised that in addition to getting the flu shot people take the following precautions to reduce the spread of infection:

  • Stay home if feeling unwell
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Clean and sanitize commonly-used surfaces frequently
  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue and washing hands afterwards

 

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For further information, please contact:

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

December 18, 2013 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued yesterday for residents of Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.

Even though the Frostbite Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in cold weather, including dressing warmly and in layers, watching for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and checking on the elderly and people with disabilities who live alone.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the winter and issue frostbite alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted temperatures or wind chill values reach thresholds as indicated in the Extreme Cold Response Plan.

Further information about staying healthy in extreme cold conditions and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

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

December 17, 2013 –  The Peterborough Public Health has extended the Frostbite Alert issued yesterday to include Tuesday evening (December 17) because of a forecasted wind chill of -31.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:

Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Frostbite:

Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

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

December 16, 2013 – Please see the following link:

Thousands More Children and Youth to Receive Free Dental Care

December 16, 2013 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a third Frostbite Alert for Monday evening (December 16) because of a forecasted wind chill of -27.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities tonight. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:

Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated
movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

 

Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

-30-

For further information, please contact:

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