Latest news with #EasternOntarioHealthUnit
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachio products
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, discusses the salmonella outbreak linked to pistachio products.
CBC
19-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Rabid red fox euthanized in eastern Ontario
Rabies has been detected in a red fox in eastern Ontario, with health authorities saying the animal was euthanized and appropriate treatment provided to the people who were in contact with it. The animal was found in Chute-à-Blondeau, east of Hawkesbury, with Eastern Ontario Health Unit's medical officer of health saying it was his first time hearing of a rabid fox in the region. "It was actually bat rabies," said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, about the detection on June 13. "So that doesn't surprise me because we do have rabid bats in the area." That's an important distinction, according to Roumeliotis, signifying the virus didn't transmit between foxes. "That would present a whole kind of ecosystem of rabies," he said on Wednesday. Ministry says detection doesn't mean increased risk The Ministry of Natural Resources is confident the detection doesn't indicate any increased risk to the health of people or wildlife, it said in an email. While it's not common for bat-variant rabies to occur in other species, it is possible, it said. Roumeliotis said a bat may have bitten the fox, while the ministry says the fox, a scavenger, could have come into contact with a dead bat. The last detected case of this strain in a non-bat mammal in eastern Ontario was in a skunk in 2018. 'It looked fine' Janet Cote says the animal lived on her property in Chute-à-Blondeau. She would watch the kit and its siblings from her home's front window as they grew. But on Sunday, May 11, she spotted one acting strangely. "The little tiny one, the runt, stayed out on the grass and, jeez, it was there for about an hour in the full sun," Cote said by phone. "I thought, 'oh its natural instinct should be to go hide, not stay out.'" She says her husband, wearing gloves, was able to handle the animal and place it in an oversized cardboard box. "It looked fine," Cote said. "It just looked like it was super lethargic and tired and I thought, 'Oh, maybe it just needs nutrition.'" "I never thought that it was that sick." The two decided to transport it to Holly's Haven, a wildlife rescue in Dunrobin. Lynne Rowe, its director of operations, says her team had the fox for less than 12 hours. "The next morning we saw it was having seizures," Rowe said. "And so took it straight to our vet who euthanized it and then was concerned about the symptoms" Rowe says possible exposures at the rescue are low — with her team having worn protective equipment while handling the sick animal — but staff have received boosters shots. She says susceptible species at the rescue are also in the process of becoming fully vaccinated. Cote said her husband also received shots. According to Ottawa Public Health, the rabies virus affects the brain of those infected. It's usually spread from animal to animal but can also be spread to humans. If a person with the virus doesn't receive treatment, the disease is already fatal by the time they show symptoms.
CBC
07-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Poor air quality, moderate risk level still affecting Ottawa-Gatineau
The Ottawa-Gatineau region is still experiencing poor air quality from drifting wildfire smoke, prompting Environment Canada to maintain its special air quality statements into Saturday. The agency issued the statements for most of the region on Friday as of 7 a.m., which spread to blanket all of eastern Ontario and western Quebec. As of 9 a.m. Saturday, Kingston, Ont. and the surrounding area had its special air quality statement lifted, but the statement is still in place in Ontario as far south as Smith's Falls and stretching east all the way to the Georgian Bay. In western Quebec, the statement stretches east along the Quebec-U.S. border and north stopping short of Val-d'Or. The Air Quality Health Index for downtown Ottawa was six, or moderate risk, on Saturday as of 9 a.m. On Friday, it had risen to the highest level which Environment Canada issues (10+, or very high). Saturday morning's index for other eastern Ontario communities were, as of 9 a.m.: Four, or moderate risk, in Kingston. Five, or moderate risk, in Belleville. Five, or moderate risk, in Cornwall. The smoke may pose health risks, Environment Canada said, advising people in affected areas to limit time outdoors and to consider rescheduling outdoor activities. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit also warned of health risks and advised residents to watch for symptoms including: Eye, nose and throat irritation. Coughing. Headaches. Dizziness. Chest pains. Difficulty breathing. Both agencies said people over 65, pregnant people, children, people with pre-existing health conditions and people who work outdoors are more likely to be impacted by air pollution. Wildfires are raging across Western Canada, with B.C, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan all battling blazes. Air quality warnings were issued from the Alberta-B.C. border into Labrador as of Friday morning and largely remain in place as of 9 a.m. Saturday.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tips to protect yourself from ticks this summer in Ottawa and eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario's top doctor is urging people to be 'tick aware' and protect yourself from tick bites when outside in backyards and the woods this spring and summer. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit warns tick-borne diseases are transmitted through a bite from an infected blacklegged tick. Medical officer of health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis told CTV Morning Live you will now find ticks closer to home, saying 'it's actually everywhere in Ottawa.' 'Ticks, ordinarily, like forests and woods, but a lot of people live off a forest or a treed area and they can climb into your backyard,' Roumeliotis said. 'It's important to be aware you have to be tick aware in your backyard, so tick proofing it – that's the important thing.' The most common disease caused by ticks is Lyme Disease, but ticks can also carry other diseases. 'The best way is to prevent ticks from coming into your area and knowing what to do if you get a tick on you, on your child and even on your pet,' Roumeliotis said. Ticks are most active in the summer months, but officials warn they can appear any time of the year when the temperature is above the freezing mark. Dr. Roumeliotis spoke with CTV News Ottawa about what you need to know about ticks. Size of ticks Dr. Roumeliotis says ticks are initially very small. 'The babies are like sesame seed size,' Roumeliotis said Wednesday morning. 'If they latch on to somebody, they'll suck the blood and they'll engorge and become the size of an apple seed and even to the size of a small coffee bean. Once they engorge on you, it's not hard to see them.' 042325_ticks lyme disease grand bend london miller A black-legged tick burrows into a person's arm (File Photo) What do I do if I'm exposed to a tick? The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says tick bites are 'usually painless,' and you may not realize you have been bitten. Roumeliotis says if you have been exposed to a tick for more than 24 hours, remove it immediately. You should also disinfect the area where the tick was removed from. 'Seek medical attention after you remove it because if it is carrying Lyme Disease, we will then give you antibiotics for a couple of days to prevent it from occurring in the first place,' Roumeliotis said. If a tick has been attached to you for less than 24 hours, the medical officer of health says you can remove it and 'don't worry about it.' The Eastern Ontario Health Unit recommends being on the lookout for signs and symptoms for the next 30 days. Removing a tick Dr. Roumeliotis says the best way to remove a tick is with tweezers. 'Go sideways, get (the tweezers) as low as possible to the skin, pinch (the tick) and pull it up,' Roumeliotis said. 'Do not twist, do not squeeze. Once you have it, you put it in alcohol, disinfect it, put it in a bag and you can throw it away.' Signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease Dr. Roumeliotis says Lyme Disease is a bacteria that the tick gets from biting a deer. 'It basically bites you and sucking your blood, it can actually inject the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease,' Roumeliotis said. 'Lyme Disease can be quite dangerous. It can cause symptoms ranging from pneumonia to skin rashes to even brain problems, that's why it's important for us to be aware.' Symptoms of Lyme Disease usually occur within three to 30 days after a tick bite. You may see a circular, red rash that may look like a 'bull's-eye,' according to officials. The health unit says symptoms of Lyme Disease may include: fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pains, stiff neck, fatigue, swollen glands and facial paralysis. How to avoid tick bites The Eastern Ontario Health Unit offers the following tips to keep ticks off you when outdoors: Wear light-coloured closing Wear closed footwear, socks, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants Use an insect repellent that has DEER or lcaridin on clothes and exposed skin Walk in the centre of cleared paths or trails Search your clothes and body for ticks after being outdoors The health unit recommends tips to discourage the presence of ticks around your home:
