Latest news with #MehdiAloosh
CBC
11-08-2025
- Health
- CBC
West Nile Virus detected in Essex County, health unit says
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has detected the first signs of West Nile virus in the county this year, just days after the Chatham-Kent Health Unit reported the first positive tests for the virus in that region. Routine monitoring has identified positive mosquito pools in the community, the health unit said in a news release issued Monday. But it has not identified any cases in humans yet. "Windsor and Essex County residents should continue to protect themselves against mosquitoes," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. "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." West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. Seventy to 80 per cent of those infected will have no symptoms, and others will have mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, a mild rash and swollen lymph glands, according to Health Canada. Small percentage of cases can cause serious illness But a small number of people – fewer than one per cent – can have serious symptoms, including a severe headache that comes on quickly, a high fever, stiff neck, nausea or vomiting, difficulty swallowing, drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, lack of coordination, muscle weakness or paralysis. Some severe cases can be fatal. First symptoms usually appear within two to 15 days after infection, Health Canada said. Adults over 49 and those with underlying conditions or weaker immune systems are at greater risk of more severe illness. The health unit has issued the following tips to help people protect themselves from mosquito bites. Use insect repellents that contain DEET, Icaridin or other approved ingredients on clothing and exposed skin. Always read and follow label directions. 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 the 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 property. Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are free of holes. Call 311 or local by-law enforcement about standing water observed in the community. The health unit and municipal governments will continue to monitor for the virus, the health unit said.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Extended heat warning issued for Windsor-Essex
Cooling off in the hot weather in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. (Melanie Borrelli / CTV Windsor) The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has issued an extended heat warning for Windsor-Essex. Based on information from Environment and Climate Change Canada, medical officers of health Dr. Mehdi Aloosh has issued the warning from Friday, July 11 until Wednesday, July 16 for Windsor and Essex County. An extended heat warning is issued when three or more consecutive days are forecasted to have a daytime high temperature greater than or equal to 31 Celsius and a nighttime temperature greater than or equal to 21C, or a humidex greater than 42C. Everyone is at risk from heat, especially older adults, infants and young children, people who work or exercise in the heat, and those with certain medical conditions. Warning signs of heat-related illness include dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, weakness, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Check on friends, family, and neighbors frequently during heat events, and even after the weather cools off, as they may still feel the effects of the heat. WECHU says you can prevent a heat illness by following these tips to stay cool: Monitor local weather forecasts and warnings regularly Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty Wear a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing Take a cool bath or shower Limit outdoor activities to the coolest part of the day Do not leave children, adults, or pets in parked cars Arrange regular visits for family members, neighbors, or friends during very hot days in case they need assistance If you do not have a functional air conditioner, find an air-conditioned spot close by, where you can cool off for a few hours during very hot days (e.g., local pool, library, recreational center, mall). Learn about ways to keep your home cool during the summer (e.g., keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home) For more information, visit the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
CBC
17-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Health unit warns of possible surge in measles among unvaccinated people attending Easter events
The Windsor-Essex health unit is warning the public that the upcoming holiday weekend could prompt a surge in measles infections among unvaccinated people. "The most important message for our community is that if they are unprotected, get their vaccines," Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's medical officer of health, said Thursday. "If they feel any symptoms going into the long weekend, large gathering, please stay home and make sure that others are not exposed to this preventable disease," he said. WECHU said in a press release that Easter gatherings, such as church events or egg hunts, "could lead to very high transmission of the virus." The health unit has created signs that event organizers can post outside their venues. Aloosh, speaking at a press conference in Leamington, said the latest count showed 69 confirmed local measles cases — including severe ones requiring hospitalization — since the first one was reported in February. But he said the true number of infections is likely higher, since not everyone gets tested and seeks medical care. Infections have been most concentrated in the broader southwestern Ontario region – particularly among unvaccinated children — since the province's outbreak began. It's been traced to a Mennonite wedding in New Brunswick, per Ontario's top public health doctor. Locally, the outbreak "hasn't slowed down" in recent weeks, Aloosh said, and the majority of cases have been in Leamington and Kingsville. But he said the health unit is worried the virus could spread beyond those areas among unvaccinated people. The health unit is urging all local residents to check to see if they have been vaccinated against the virus, which is "easily spread amongst unvaccinated populations." "Getting vaccinated against measles is the best way to prevent serious illness and avoid hospital visits as two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine provides 97% protection against measles," the health unit said. WATCH | Here's what you need to know about measles Here's what you need to know about measles 1 month ago Duration 2:00 As cases of measles ramp up, CBC's Jennifer La Grassa explains what you need to know to stay safe against the highly contagious respiratory illness. Typically, children receive the first dose when they are around one, with the second dose given between the ages of four and six. However, the health unit has said previously that some kids can receive the first dose starting at six months due to the current outbreak. Infants around the ages of four and five months — those who don't have any remaining immunity from their mother but are still too young to get the early vaccine — are at higher risk, Aloosh said. Parents of children that age who are attending weekend events should make sure the people they're around are vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms, he said. The WECHU also said Thursday that if a measles case is identified at a school, "any student who has not received two doses of the MMR vaccine will be excluded from school for up to 21 days." "This exclusion from school applies to students with a valid immunization exemption on file," the health unit added. Aloosh said kids with exemptions are included because of the need to not just protect them, but also those around them because the vaccine is not quite 100 per cent effective, as well as those in the community who can't receive the vaccine, such as immunocompromised or pregnant people. The health unit has held vaccination clinics, in addition to recommending that people see their health care providers about getting protected. "Definitely we see that increase in uptake of the vaccine," Aloosh said. Aloosh said ending the outbreak in Windsor-Essex doesn't just depend on the health unit. "This cannot happen without [the] help of our community, and that's why we want to have this message," he said.
CBC
20-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Early measles vaccines recommended for some infants: Windsor-Essex health unit
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is now recommending that some very young children be assessed to receive a dose of the measles vaccine ahead of schedule in response to rising cases in the region. Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, the region's medical officer of health, issued an update Thursday that recommends local health care providers conduct individual risk assessments for patients between six and 12 months old who have not yet received their first measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. "Based on the level of individual risk, as assessed through the patient's likelihood of travel to areas where measles is circulating, or other high-risk activities … healthcare providers should consider administering a dose of MMR ahead of schedule," the health unit said in a statement, adding that high-risk activities could include attending large gatherings. The early dose would be additional to the two doses that children are recommended to receive between 12 and 15 months and after 18 months, the health unit says. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread through the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. Droplets containing the measles virus can stay in the air for several hours, and the virus remains infectious on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours. "Our region is amongst those in the province which is managing the ongoing and increasing challenges associated with measles," Aloosh said. "This updated vaccination recommendation for susceptible infants will provide an additional important level of protection." The Windsor-Essex health unit reports 17 cases of measles in the region in March and two in February. According to Public Health Ontario data, the Chatham-Kent health unit has had 20 cases of the virus since Ontario's measles outbreak began in late October. Parents and caregivers should contact their child's health care provider for more information about early vaccination. Cases in Ontario are on the rise, according to Public Health Ontario: There have been 470 cases across the province, an increase of 120 cases since just March 14. Nearly half of those cases are in nearby Elgin and Oxford counties and the city of St. Thomas, all covered by Southwestern Public Health. That health unit reports 228 cases, primarily in unvaccinated children. That's the most of any Ontario health unit. Southwestern Public Health medical officer of health Dr. Ninh Tran debunked misinformation in the community that catching measles leads to total immunity. "While getting measles can result in natural immunity, being infected with measles carries significant health risks, including pneumonia, brain infections and brain swelling," Tran said, adding that it can also come with significant complications like low birth weight and miscarriage for people who are pregnant. The Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent health units are tracking measles exposures in the community, and advising residents who may have been exposed to monitor themselves for symptoms and contact their primary care providers.
CBC
12-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Worried about measles in southwestern Ontario? Here's what you need to know
As measles cases continue to grow in southwestern Ontario, health officials say people need to make sure they are informed and vaccinated. After years without locally acquired measles cases, both Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent are now seeing the disease spread in the community. Health officials in both regions say it's a fluid situation, with cases likely to increase in the coming weeks. Since January, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has reported six cases and the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has reported seven cases as of Tuesday evening. "I understand the concern of our community," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. "We are monitoring the situation carefully as it evolves. We are in conversation with our neighbouring health unit to understand the behaviour of disease in those communities." The Middlesex-London Health Unit also reported its first case this week. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It is spread through the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. Symptoms include: Fever. Cough. Red, watery eyes. Runny nose. Koplik spots — small, white spots that occur on the inside of the cheeks. A rash that usually begins as flat, red spots on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. It is estimated nearly one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected will die from complications, such as pneumonia and a swelling of the brain called encephalitis. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles infection, which needs to run its course, though medications are available to help manage symptoms. Droplets containing the measles virus can stay in the air for several hours, and the virus remains infectious on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours. Am I at risk? "The people that we're most worried about are unvaccinated people, because they're the people that are most susceptible to getting measles if they're exposed," said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent. If you have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMVR) vaccine, health officials say you are highly protected. According to the Canadian government, the efficacy of one dose of the vaccine is estimated to be between 85 and 95 per cent, with two doses bringing that to 100 per cent. In Ontario, kids are expected to receive the first vaccine dose at 12 months and then a second dose between four and six years old. To check your of your kids' vaccination status, you can speak with your family doctor, look at your vaccination record or check your record online. If you were born before 1970, Health Canada says you are considered immune, because it's likely you had the virus at some point in time — though you should still speak with a family doctor to ensure you don't need the vaccine. The vaccination rates in both Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent are high, so public health officials say the risk of getting measles is still low. What should I do if my child is too young to be vaccinated? If your child has not yet been vaccinated because they are younger than 12 months, Nesathurai advises that you speak with your family doctor or local public health unit about how to best protect them. "If your children are unwell, then it's better to be safe ... better to take them to the doctor or to your nurse practitioner and have someone look at the child," he said. If parents suspect their child has measles or been exposed, Nesathurai says they should call in advance to their clinic or doctor's office so they can take all precautions to make sure no one else in the waiting room gets exposed. Parents can also stay up to date on measles exposure locations by going to their local public health unit website. There are currently several locations listed between Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent where people could have been exposed.
