Why you should watch for heat-related symptoms — even after a heat wave is over
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Centre Wellington sees 1st confirmed case of rabies in a bat this year
Social Sharing A bat in Centre Wellington has tested positive for rabies in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph's first confirmed case of the year. In a release sent out Wednesday, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) said the animal tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. A person has begun "precautionary treatment for potential exposure," the release said. "Although rabies is rare, it can be fatal when left untreated," said Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, WDGPH's associate medical officer of health. "Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by an animal should wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek immediate medical attention," he said. Tenenbaum couldn't comment directly about the person who was exposed, but he said when someone comes into contact with a bat and public health is contacted, an investigation is launched. "We find out exactly what this scenario was," he explained. "For example, was there direct contact with the bat? Was it a scenario where someone saw a bat outdoors, saw a bat indoors? We know oftentimes bats can fly into homes and be found in attics or found in bedrooms. So we gather information about this scenario and then we conduct a risk assessment." Depending on the results of the assessment, Tenenbaum says they will often recommend treatment. More bat-related investigations this year The number of investigations public health conducted last year related to bats was 47. So far for this year, that number is up to 61 bat-related investigations. "It wouldn't surprise me if more bats are tested [this year]. It's quite possible others could come back positive," Tenenbaum said. Tenenbaum attributes the rise in numbers partly with the heat the region has been experiencing this summer. "As people are at home trying to open their windows to get ventilation in, that provides opportunities for bats to enter homes. We know that the warmer weather also can prompt bats to seek cooler indoor spaces, which increases likelihood they'll come in contact with people," he said, adding he hopes the rise in calls also has to do with an increase in awareness about the issue. What you can do People can take precautions to avoid their pets or themselves being bitten, including: Don't touch sick or injured animals. Don't approach or touch wild or unfamiliar animals even if they seem friendly. Don't feed wild or stray animals. Keep bats out of your home. Assume any bat you see has rabies. Tell children to stay away from bats and tell them to tell you if they've had contact with a bat. Keep pets away from wild animals or other unfamiliar pets. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal or have any contact with a bat: If it's a pet, get the owner's contact information so public health can follow up with them. Immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. People should also report bites and scratches with a bat to public health.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Crackdown on overtime in B.C. hospitals
Vancouver Watch The province's two biggest health authorities are quietly cutting costs by limiting overtime and other discretionary spending on staffing.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
‘This was not a good deal': Firm tasked with recruiting 150 doctors to Manitoba brought in only two
A plan to bring 150 new doctors to Manitoba has fallen flat, after the company hired to recruit the physicians brought just two doctors over two years. It was launched by the former Progressive Conservative government in July 2023. Canadian Health Labs—a Toronto-based recruitment firm—was awarded the contract valued at up to $5.25 million. The firm was tasked with recruiting 150 doctors to Manitoba who would be evenly split between Winnipeg, northern Manitoba, and rural communities. At the time, then-Health Minister Audrey Gordon said she was confident the company would meet its target. Two years in, the province confirmed just two doctors had been recruited—both from the U.K. and both working at clinics in Winnipeg. 'This was not a good deal for the Province of Manitoba,' Premier Wab Kinew told reporters Wednesday. Kinew said the contract with Canadian Health Labs has now expired. 'We're not renewing it, like we were looking at the clock waiting for this thing to expire,' he said. The province said the Canadian Health Labs is only being paid between $25,000 and $45,000 per doctor recruited. In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said because the firm failed to meet its targets, it was paid the lowest fee possible under the agreement. When asked if he was given an explanation as to why only two doctors were recruited over two years, Kinew said the PCs should explain. PC Deputy Leader Jeff Bereza told CTV News in a written statement he felt the NDP didn't try to keep the contract. 'This is yet another example of the NDP inheriting a successful PC program, and setting it up to fail. The contract with Canadian Health Lab was a viable recruitment tool,' the statement reads in part. 'It's time for the NDP to stop blaming the PCs for their healthcare failures and start delivering on their election promises to Manitobans.' The NDP has promised to bring 400 physicians to the province. Asagwara's spokesperson said since being elected, 201 net new physicians are working in Manitoba with another 12 accepting offers. This comes as Manitoba continues to see some of the worst doctor shortages in the country. According to Doctors Manitoba, the province has 219 physicians per 100,000 residents, which makes us the second worst in doctors per capita in Canada. When it comes to family physicians, Doctors Manitoba said the province is in dead last, with 107 doctors per 100,000 residents. 'We need to look at multiple initiatives and strategies to recruit physicians and not put all of our eggs in one basket,' said Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba. She said she believes the best recruiters are the physicians themselves. 'I would argue that the best way to recruit physicians is to retain the physicians that you have,' she said. 'Physicians who are happy, feel safe, feel fulfilled in their work… that gets promoted, and then other physicians hear about that.' CTV News has reached out to Canadian Health Labs for comment and is awaiting a response.
