Latest news with #AHS
CTV News
6 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Water advisories issued for Slave Lake, Alberta Beach
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued water advisories for two lakes ahead of the long weekend. Visitors to Lesser Slave Lake in north-central Alberta are advised to keep an eye out for blue-green algae. Exposure to blue-green algae can cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Blue-green algae can be fatal to pets. AHS recommends washing with tap water as soon as exposure occurs. Humans are also advised to limit consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from the lake. Feeding whole fish or fish trimmings to pets can result in death. Fish filets from the lake are still safe for human consumption. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, appears on the water's surface and can often look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown or pinkish-red and often smells musty or grassy. Blue-green algae blooms lake water Blue-green algae is pictured in this photo from the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). Waters of Lesser Slave Lake where algae blooms are not visible can still be used for recreational purposes even while the advisory is in place. Lesser Slave Lake is about 200 kilometres north of Edmonton. Alberta Beach is also under an advisory but for elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water of the main beach area. AHS is advising the public not to swim or wade at the beach area, effective immediately. At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water at Alberta Beach, said the health authority, adding there is also a possibility of contracting skin, ear and eye infections with water contact. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice while AHS Environmental Public Health officers continue to monitor the water at Alberta Beach. Alberta Beach is located about 70 kilometres west of Edmonton.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Calgary Herald
The last of Alberta's four health agencies will be operational in the fall. Here's who is in charge and what each agency does
Alberta's overhaul of the health care system has led to numerous changes since the province announced its plans back in fall 2023, including the creation of four new health care agencies and new health ministries to oversee them. Article content The province began implementing its plan to dismantle Alberta Health Services (AHS) into four new health care pillars in 2024. It divided the health care system into four new agencies — Acute Care Alberta, Primary Care Alberta, Recovery Alberta and Assisted Living Alberta. Article content Article content Article content The last of Alberta's four new health agencies will be operational starting in the fall of 2025 and, over the last year and half, there have been a number of changes to who is in charge. Article content Article content Here's a breakdown of the chief executive officers overseeing the systems, the ministries in charge and an update on the search for the province's next chief medical officer of health. Article content Each health agency has an appointed chief executive officer to oversee the transition of the services from AHS to the new agency, along with the implementation of certain structures to alleviate burdens like wait times and access currently within the health care system. Article content Dr. Chris Eagle will be retiring as interim CEO of Acute Care Alberta on Oct. 10, which leaves the role up for grabs. He was appointed to the role in February 2025. He led the development of a leadership structure, implemented performance and accountability frameworks, and made efforts to improve surgical access, emergency and hospital care. Eagle was previously the president and CEO of AHS. Acute Care Alberta became operational last April 1. Article content Article content Kim Simmonds became CEO of Primary Care Alberta in November 2024. The agency became fully operational on Feb. 1, 2025. Simmonds was the assistant deputy minister of strategic planning and performance at Alberta Health, holding both public and private sector experience in Calgary, Edmonton and rural Alberta. Article content Article content Kerry Bales is the CEO of Recovery Alberta, formerly the chief program officer for addiction, mental health and correctional services in AHS, prior to his appointment in April 2024. The agency became operational on Sept. 1, 2024. Article content Gord Johnston was the latest to be appointed and will begin his role as CEO of Assisted Living Alberta on Aug. 1. The agency is set to be fully operational in fall 2025. Johnston was the CEO of Civida, a provider of affordable homes in northern Alberta. Article content What does each agency do? Article content Primary Care Alberta provides services specific to the day-to-day health care needs of Albertans including ensuring Albertans are attached to a primary care provider, improving access to day-to-day health services and supporting integrated teams.
Global News
2 days ago
- Health
- Global News
More E. coli cases believed to be connected to popular Calgary restaurant
The number of laboratory confirmed cases of E. coli and a rare parasite, believed to be connected to a popular Calgary-area restaurant, continues to grow. In an email to Global News, Alberta Health Services said there has been an increase in people calling Health Link (811) reporting symptoms of gastrointestinal illness after eating at the Saskatoon Farm, about 20 minutes southeast of Calgary, earlier this month. View image in full screen Alberta Health Services is now asking anyone who had something to eat or drink at the Saskatoon Farm between July 1 and 18 to call 811 to arrange to get tested for E. coli. Global News While AHS hasn't divulged how may calls it has received, it confirms there have now been 26 probable cases of E. coli confirmed by laboratory testing. Story continues below advertisement That's an increase from the 18 cases confirmed on Friday, July 25, 2025, by AHS Medical Officer of Health Dr. Francesco Rizzuti. AHS said the number of people testing positive for the parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, has also increased, with nine of those who tested positive for E. coli also testing positive. That's up from the three cases provided in a media briefing on Friday. AHS said a number of other pathogens, including norovirus and rotavirus, have also been identified in the laboratory testing, but it has yet to be determined if they can be linked to the Saskatoon Farm as both norovirus and rotavirus are commonly associated with gastrointestinal illness. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy There has also been one additional person who required hospitalization, bringing the total number to three, although two have since been discharged. View image in full screen The Saskatoon Farm is located a 20 minute drive southeast of Calgary and is a popular destination for Saskatoon berry picking, a farmers market and a restaurant. Global News AHS has also expanded the timeframe for people who consumed water, beverages or food at the Saskatoon Farm to get tested for any of the identified pathogens, even if they have not developed any symptoms. Story continues below advertisement Anyone who dined at the restaurant between July 1 and July 18 is now being asked to call 811 (Health Link) to make arrangements to get tested. The previous timeframe was July 1 to 16. View image in full screen AHS has identified the Saskatoon Farm's water system as the most likely source of the outbreak of gastrointestinal illness and is asking anyone who dined there between July 1 and 18 to call 811 to arrange to get tested. Global News AHS investigators have identified the Saskatoon Farm's water system as the most likely cause of the outbreak. Even though the Saskatoon Farm has switched to a different water source that has been confirmed to be safe for human consumption, Rizzuti said there is ongoing testing being done and the restaurant will remain closed until AHS inspectors and medical officers of health determine there is no more risk to the public. Health Canada defines E. coli as a bacteria that can be spread through contact with infected people, animals, food and surfaces — including undercooked, unpasteurized, contaminated or untreated water, foods and other liquids that have come into contact with the feces of infected animals or people. Story continues below advertisement The improper handling of infected food can also cause cross-contamination of other foods. People who become infected with the parasite E. histolytica can also develop a severe gastrointestinal illness called amoebiasis weeks to months after infection. While none of the people confirmed to be infected with the parasite have tested positive for amoebiasis, Rizutti said, in some rare cases it can lead to other infections outside of the gastrointestinal system, including the heart, liver and lungs. The symptoms of amoebiasis, said Rizutti, may not show up for weeks or even months after the initial infection, which is why AHS is asking people who dined at the Saskatoon Farm between July 1 and 16 to call 811 to arrange to get tested. According to Health Canada, people who test positive for E. histolytica can be treated with a variety of drugs but the extent of treatment depends on whether the parasite is isolated to the gastrointestinal system or has spread to other organs.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
AHS expands window of illness at Saskatoon Farm restaurant
A gastrointestinal outbreak has now been declared at Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks, with the number of cases of people falling ill growing to more than 200. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has expanded the window of possible cases of illness connected to a restaurant at the Saskatoon Farm after several more cases of a parasitic infection have been found. AHS says nine cases of Entamoeba histolytica, a parasite that can cause dysentery, have been identified in people who ate at the restaurant east of Okotoks, Alta. The agency now says that anyone who dined at the Saskatoon Farm's restaurant between July 1 and 18 could be at risk. The previous time frame was July 1 to 16. AHS says it has fielded an increased number of calls to 811 from Albertans reporting symptoms, but only laboratory presumptive case numbers will be released. As of July 28, there were 26 probable cases of E. coli linked to Saskatoon Farm. Three people have been hospitalized because of the incident, but two of those patients have since been discharged. AHS said other viruses were found during testing, such as norovirus and rotavirus, but it's not clear if these can be linked directly to the investigation. 'Both norovirus and rotavirus are common viruses associated with gastrointestinal illness,' AHS said in a statement. Officials said additional testing will be done with individuals who ate at the restaurant within the above timeframe but did not become ill to further the investigation.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Harassing reporters should not be normal
Opinion The Globe and Mail's Carrie Tait has been doing exemplary work reporting on Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the way Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has treated serious allegations of political interference in that province's health system. Her reporting has included breaking stories on a senior health executive, Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was fired as chief executive of Alberta Health Services. Mentzelopoulos says in a lawsuit against the province that she was fired after investigating questionable contracts by AHS — the Smith government maintains Mentzelopoulos was fired for incompetence. Tait also reported on the firing of the AHS board by the Alberta government on the day the board was to review a report by investigators about improper activity involving AHS. That, and other reporting, has certainly made Tait unpopular with Smith, the Alberta government, and with the governing United Conservative Party. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Alberta Premier Danielle Smith But now, Tait is herself news. How? Because of a phantom Twitter/X account — now suspended — that posted a series of clandestinely obtained photographs of Tait, sometimes with other people she was meeting with, and announced that it would 'start exposing Carrie Tait's sources in the continuing health care saga. You are not going to want to miss this!' If you think that sounds like an attempt to derail a media investigation into questionable government conduct, you'd be exactly right. It's also clearly harassment, and it really makes you stop and wonder who exactly would benefit from trying to derail the Globe and Mail's coverage. The move is certainly getting broad condemnation, including from the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ). 'These kinds of intimidation tactics have no place in a democratic society,' said CAJ president Brent Jolly in a written statement. 'They are assaults on the very foundations of press freedom that are enshrined in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms … Targeting a journalist for simply doing their job is a cowardly act that endangers not only the reporter, but also the vital public interest work that journalism represents. Carrie Tait should be saluted for her work — not spoofed or surveilled.' And that's why we're writing about the work being done by a competitor of ours — and work being done in a province other than our own as well. Because the issue is one that strikes at the heart of what we do — providing objective journalism and commentary that, almost necessarily, occasionally displeases governments. That work should be done without the fear of threats and attacks — and an attack on Tait, if allowed to stand as normal practice, is an attack on all journalists. That leaves the question of who's doing the attack. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. Once again — who would benefit from derailing Tait's work? The Alberta government insists they're not involved — but at the same time, at first blush, that province's premier seemed to feel the issue was less than serious. Asked about the surveillance by a Globe and Mail reporter at a meeting of Canada's premiers in Huntsville last week, Smith said 'I'm not talking about that' — and laughed as she walked away. Later, she appeared to take the issue more seriously, telling CTV News that, 'No one should be harassing anybody, and I don't comment on sock puppet accounts … I have no idea who's behind it, and so if there's criminal harassment, I hope that the RCMP finds them, punishes them to the full extent of the law.' It's hard not to agree with Smith, at least on that last point. There are clearly things going on in Alberta provincial politics that are deeply wrong, and anyone involved in this personal attack should certainly face consequences.
