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January 30, 2015 – Public Health Issues Frostbite Alert #6 for the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations

Weather Alert - COLD L1aThe Peterborough Public Health has issued a sixth Frostbite Alert this season because of forecasted wind chill values of -33 on January 31, -29 on February 1 and -33 on February 2. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

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.  Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

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, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • 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
743-1000 ext 391
bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca

January 26, 2015 –  Frostbite Alert #5 for the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations

Weather Alert - COLD L1aThe Peterborough Public Health has issued a fifth Frostbite Alert this season because of forecasted wind chill values of -30 on January 26. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

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.  Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

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, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • 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.

….continued

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:

Wanda Tonus

Public Health Inspector

705-743-1000, ext. 285

January 26, 2015 – Parents Reminded to Inform Public Health of Updated Immunization Records to Avoid Their Child’s Suspension from School

#gotmyshotdidntcryPublic Health Nurses from Peterborough Public Health will be out in full force over the coming weeks offering high school students catch up vaccinations to prevent the spread of several serious diseases.

All three vaccines are safe, effective, free, and highly recommended.  In fact, the meningococcal vaccine is mandatory to prevent student suspension from school according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

“These free catch up clinics in the schools make it easy for parents to ensure their children are fully protected against these dangerous diseases,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “We’re hoping parents will watch for the consent forms coming home soon and return them so our nurses can give their children these important vaccinations, and avoid a trip to the doctor to get immunized.”

The meningococcal vaccine protects against four strains of the disease compared to earlier types of the vaccine children that only offered protection against one strain.  Starting in the 2014-15 school year, students need to have proof of immunization with Men-C-ACYW-135 vaccine, or a valid exemption, to attend school in Ontario.  Students only need one dose for full protection.

Students will also be offered the vaccine that protects them from hepatitis B, a sometimes incurable disease that can cause permanent liver damage.  In addition, female students are eligible to receive the HPV vaccine for free, which is the only vaccine known to protect against certain types of cervical cancer.

These catch up clinics are being offered to high school students who missed these vaccines in grades 7 and 8.  They start February 17 and will run until mid-March.  To find out when nurses are coming to your teenager’s school, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and under “Clinics & Classes”, click on “Immunization Clinics” where there is a specific section for “School Immunization Clinics”.

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For further information, please contact:

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

 

 

 

January 22, 2015 – The Ontario Child Health Study is Coming to Peterborough

You’ve probably heard – 1 in 5 Ontario children/youth have a mental health issue…

Is that number still true? We don’t know. That number came from the last Ontario Child Health Study, conducted in 1983. Thirty years ago the world was a very different place.

The largest and most comprehensive study on child and youth mental health that has ever been done in Ontario is now underway. The 2014 Ontario Child Health Study (2014 OCHS), conducted by Statistics Canada, will invite over 13,500 families with children and youth aged 4-17 years living in 180 communities to participate. In addition, more than 200 schools from these same communities will be asked to participate in the School Mental Health Surveys, conducted by McMaster University. This companion study will examine the link between schools and student mental health. The information gathered through both studies will provide a more complete overview of our children and youth than ever before.

“More and more children are born into social and economic disadvantage, which increases their risk for poor health and lowers their life chances. It is up to us to find strengths in families, neighbourhoods and schools that can offset these disadvantages and to challenge the health care system to better meet the needs of children and youth confronting mental health issues,” said Dr. Michael Boyle, Principle Investigator & Canada Research Chair in the Social Determinants of Child Health.

To obtain an accurate picture of child and youth mental health in Ontario, the 2014 OCHS partner, Statistics Canada, has randomly selected families across Ontario, including Peterborough. Letters were sent to these families at the beginning of October 2014 and, in the next couple of months, Statistics Canada will be following-up by phone to enlist willing families for the 2014 OCHS. For most families, participation involves a one-and-a-half to two hour home visit with an in-depth series of questions about mental and physical health, social relationships, home life, the cyber world and more.

Agreeing to participate in the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study will make a real difference in the lives of our children and youth. Results from the 1983 Study led federal and provincial governments to invest heavily in new child development initiatives such as the Ontario Early Years Centres. It’s been 30 years since we examined child and youth mental health in Ontario. What should we be doing now to improve the mental health of our children and youth? It’s time to look again. Please say yes if asked to participate.

For more information about this project or the School Mental Health Surveys, and our media kit, go to their website: www.ontariochildhealthstudy.ca

Follow us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/2014OCHS

Or on Twitter @ 2014OCHS Hashtags: #2014OCHS, #SMHS, #SayYES

 

Or contact: Laura Duncan – Project Coordinator

Phone: 905 521 2100 ext. 74358 Email: duncanlj@mcmaster.ca

 

For more information about the methodology, content and collection process of the 2014 Ontario Child Health

Study conducted by Statistics Canada, visit http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/survey/household/3824 or contact:

Statistics Canada Media Hotline at 613-951-INFO (951-4636) or email: mediahotline@statcan.gc.ca.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Gail Chislett

Health Promoter

705-743-1000, ext. 266

 

January 21, 2015 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for the City and County of Peterborough and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations because of forecasted wind chill values of -27 on January 22. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

frostbite alertExtreme 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.  Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

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, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • 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:

Wanda Tonus

Public Health Inspector

705-743-1000, ext. 285

January 19, 2015 – To view the Board of Health Meeting Summary from January 14 please click the image below:

Board of Health Meeting Summary jan 14

January 19, 2015 – Doing So Could Win You a Car, Cash or Other Prizes

This National Non-Smoking Week Peterborough Public Health is encouraging tobacco users in our region to make 2015 their healthiest year yet and quit smoking or tobacco use for the chance to win a new car or cash prizes.

Currently there are two opportunities for quitters to win in Ontario. One of them is Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit Challenge. In this challenge, if participants stay smoke-free for the month of March, they will be eligible to win a choice between three 2015 vehicles, a Nissan Sentra, or a Toyota Corolla or a Scion tC or one of seven $1,000 cash prizes. Residents of Ontario aged 19 and older who have used tobacco at least once weekly for at least 10 months in 2014, and who have used tobacco at least 100 times in their life can enter.

Another one is Leave the Pack Behind’s annual wouldurather… contest designed specifically for young adults. Two grand prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to randomly-selected contestants who have successfully quit smoking. Other prizes such as cash, tuition waivers, and gift cards to community and campus retailers can be won by contestants who choose to reduce their smoking by half, refrain from smoking when drinking alcohol, or stay smoke-free. This contest is open to Ontario young adults between the ages of 18-29 and registered students at publically-funded Ontario universities and colleges.

Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario, killing 13,000 people annually or 36 people a day. On an average, it can take 30 times to quit successfully. However, accessing quit smoking services and supports can help increase a smoker’s chance of becoming tobacco-free.

“For many smokers the cost of nicotine replacement products can be a barrier to quitting,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. The Peterborough Public Health is partnering with the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Program to offer eligible participants in Peterborough five weeks of cost-free nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation information to help them in their quit attempt.

For more information on local quit smoking supports and services available, please contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000. Details regarding Driven to Quit Challenge can be accessed at www.DrivenToQuit.ca and regarding the wouldurather… contest can be found at www.wouldurather.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Mary Pat Fasken
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 217

January 19, 2015 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued on January 16, 2015 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

January 16, 2015 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert because of forecasted wind chill values of -36 on January 17. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

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.  Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

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, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • 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:

Wanda Tonus
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 285

January 15, 2015 –  With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued on January 12, 2015 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”.

-30-

 

For further information, please contact:

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