Latest news with #DrMehdiAloosh
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
WECHU ends extended heat warning
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has ended the extended heat warning. Dr. Mehdi Aloosh has ended it, based on the information provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Here's a look at your forecast: Wednesday night: Partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers early in the evening with a risk of thunderstorms. Fog patches developing after midnight. Low 19 C. Thursday: Mainly sunny. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 28 C, humidex 34 C. Thursday night: Clear. Low 14 C. Friday: Sunny. High 29 C. Friday night: Clear. Low 17 C.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
West Nile Virus detected in Windsor-Essex
A mosquito pool has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in the region, according to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU). WECHU said certain types of mosquitos can spread WNV, which can be a potentially serious infection for humans. There have been no human cases of WNV in Windsor-Essex this year. 'Windsor and Essex County residents should continue to protect themselves against mosquitoes,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, WECHU's medical officer of health. 'This is an important reminder for everyone to remove standing water around our homes and workplaces to prevent mosquito breeding and protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites.' WECHU has provided the following tips to protect yourself: Use insect repellent containing DEET, Icaridin, or other approved ingredients on clothes and exposed skin. Always read and follow label instructions on bug spray bottles. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes, and gutters around your property. Make sure that your door and window screens fit securely and are free of holes. Call 311 or your local bylaw enforcement for standing water seen in the community. WECHU said it will continue to monitor for WNV activity in the region. More information is available here.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
West Nile Virus detected in Windsor
A mosquito pool has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in the region, according to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU). WECHU said certain types of mosquitos can spread WNV, which can be a potentially serious infection for humans. There have been no human cases of WNV in Windsor-Essex this year. 'Windsor and Essex County residents should continue to protect themselves against mosquitoes,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, WECHU's medical officer of health. 'This is an important reminder for everyone to remove standing water around our homes and workplaces to prevent mosquito breeding and protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites.' WECHU has provided the following tips to protect yourself: Use insect repellent containing DEET, Icaridin, or other approved ingredients on clothes and exposed skin. Always read and follow label instructions on bug spray bottles. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes, and gutters around your property. Make sure that your door and window screens fit securely and are free of holes. Call 311 or your local bylaw enforcement for standing water seen in the community. WECHU said it will continue to monitor for WNV activity in the region. More information is available here.
CTV News
24-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Increase in measles virus detected through wastewater surveillance: WECHU
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has sent reminders to school-aged children who are overdue for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine after an increase in the virus in wastewater surveillance in the region. WECHU says while no direct link has been established between the wastewater signal and school-aged populations, the signal serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high community immunization coverage to protect children.' Wastewater surveillance is one of the tools we use to monitor public health trends,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, WECHU medical officer of health. 'Although clinical measles cases remain low, the presence of the virus back in the wastewater suggests that we must remain vigilant.'WECHU is offering catch-up immunization clinics throughout the summer to help families in need of support with immunizations. 'We want to make it as easy as possible for families to access this important vaccine,' said Dr. Aloosh. 'With the school year approaching and the measles virus detected in wastewater, this is a timely opportunity to ensure our community remains protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.' Residents are encouraged to check their immunization records and contact their healthcare provider or WECHU for help.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Medical Officer of Health hopeful the region is at the tail end of measles cases
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins A positive update on measles cases within Windsor-Essex. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) Board met on Thursday afternoon where an update on local measles cases was provided by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mehdi Aloosh. The update indicated that the region is at the tail end of the outbreak with only two confirmed measles cases for the month of June. The region has slowly been seeing a downward trend. April saw the peak of the cases with 82 confirmed, however cases fell to 19 in May. Dr. Aloosh stated there's been a significant reduction in cases. 'Other indicators including wastewater surveillance are going down, so we are probably at the tail end of the outbreak,' he said. 'But we need to ensure that we keep our guards up, and we be vigilant about any future cases.' He added vaccination is still key. 'Kids now are in summer camps, so still there's a chance of transmission of disease, even at this time. So, yes I recommend our community vaccinate their children.' He remains hopeful that by winter there are no more cases. 'For decades Canada eliminated measles which meant that there was no transmission from one case to the other case, so this is our hope that by the winter we go back to that situation,' he said. Dr. Aloosh added that now that children are done school for the summer, it's a good idea to vaccinate prior to school starting in September to ensure there is no spike in cases. Windsor-Essex saw their first confirmed case of measles locally in February and have since confirmed 147 cases. Those who may have been exposed to measles are asked to contact the WECHU and monitor for symptoms of measles that may appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Those experiencing extreme symptoms that require medical attention are encouraged to visit the emergency department. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.
