Latest news with #WECHU
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
WECHU warns of Lyme disease after record year
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a blacklegged tick, which is also known as a deer tick. (CDC via AP, File) The Windsor Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is hoping to avoid a repeat of last year, after it saw a record year for Lyme disease cases. 'Who wants to get Lyme Disease? Scary stuff.' said Nancy McCabe, who was out for a walk at Malden Park when she saw WECHU raising awareness with local media. In 2024, there were 17 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the region. 'The more humid weather, rainfall, it supports the population of ticks in Windsor-Essex County,' said Elaine Bennett, Environmental Health Manager at the health unit. She showed signs that will be going up at local trails in the area with recommendations which include sticking to the center of a trail and avoiding long, grassy areas. It is suggested to use insect repellent with DEET and wear bright coloured clothing. 'Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tucking your pants into your socks just so that you're fully covered to prevent the ticks from attaching to your body,' she said. Bennett recommends taking a shower within two hours of coming inside and to do a body check after an outdoor activity. 'Unless I'm biking, I usually don't stray from the path,' McCabe said. 'I understand there are ticks in our area.' If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible with a tick key or a pair of tweezers. Don't squeeze and twist the tick. 'You want it to come out fully,' Bennett told CTV News. 'If you're removing the tick within 24 hours, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease will not enter the bloodstream.' The health unit conducted tick dragging at Malden Park on Tuesday with university students. 'We're hoping not to find anything today,' Anna Klimenko, a public health inspector, said prior to starting the process with her team. 'If we do it'll add some numbers to our data. Depends on the year. We have had years that we found more. Some years we found none at all, so we'll see what happens.' After 30 minutes, draggers recovered a dog tick which put in a container for study. The health unit is tick dragging four sites in the region this spring looking for limbs and larvae. 'Public Health Ontario, they have a mapping system, Windsor-Essex County has already been deemed as endemic for our ticks. We just want to see exactly the extent,' Bennett said.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
WECHU launches 2025 beach water quality testing program
All beaches are open as the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit launches the 2025 beach water quality testing program at eight local beaches. On Wednesday May 28, beach water samples were taken by Public Health Inspectors from Sandpoint Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee Northwest Beach, Seacliff Park Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Cedar Beach, Colchester Beach, and Holiday Beach. The results determined all beaches are samples are sent to the public health lab in London, Ontario for E. coli bacteria count analysis. This season's sampling results are posted on and available by calling the beach hotline at 519-258-2146, extension 1490. Follow the Health Unit Facebook and Twitter pages for notification of beach warnings and beaches must post a warning or a closure sign if the beach results show higher than acceptable levels of E. coli bacteria. The public should also avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall as pollution in beach water is often much higher during and right after rainstorms. New Predictive Modeling Program WECHU has also launched a new predictive modeling program at five participating beaches. 'The predictive model provides community access to timely estimations of what the water quality results may be and will be used to supplement our weekly beach monitoring. This enhanced beach monitoring program can help residents make an informed decision on whether to use participating public beaches for swimming' says Jenny Tan, WECHU environmental health manager.
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.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Case of measles confirmed at Essex County private school, says health unit
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) says lab tests confirm a person who attends Cornerstone Christian Academy in the community of Ruthven has the measles. It's believed the exposure took place some time between February 21 to February 28. Families of students who attend the school are required to contact the health unit on Wednesday and isolate the students. "The health unit is working closely in collaboration with school administration to identify potential exposures and provide guidance to school personnel and families," WECHU said in a statement issued around 10 p.m. Tuesday. It went on to say additional exposures are also being investigated — and that WECHU is connecting with hospitals for direction if people are required to attend an emergency department. "An update to this statement will be provided as soon as possible with further information in this regard." Earlier on Tuesday, the medical officer of health in Windsor-Essex told CBC News despite there not being a single reported local case of measles at that time, it was inevitable the disease will show up. "It's a matter of time," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh. "It's a matter if the disease can find its way among those groups that are unvaccinated." Ontario has seen a sharp uptick in cases of measles in recent weeks. So much so, health officials are calling it the largest outbreak in the province in the past 30 years. "It was not that much of a surprise seeing the trends," said Aloosh. "You know that the disease is coming, it's not whether they're coming, it's about when they're coming to our region." The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has issued a letter to families with children attending school, referring to an "increase" in measles activity in the area. It's entitled "Stay Safe this March Break." Nine-year-old Jexer Brayan receives a MMR vaccine, which protects against contracting the disease measles. (Annie Rice/Shutterstock) Aloosh says until more recently, cases have typically been linked to international travel. However, that now includes local travel too. "Travel puts you at risk. Anyone who has not had measles or has not been completely vaccinated against measles can become sick." According to Aloosh, the primary reason for the uptick in cases is the world being behind in vaccinating children for different diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. WATCH | Once declared eradicated, measles is surging in parts of Canada: Infants under 12 months of age, children, pregnant women, and people with a weakened immune system who have not been vaccinated against measles are at greater risk, according to the health unit. The virus is considered a serious respiratory infection that is highly contagious. It spreads easily in the air when someone who is infected coughs, talks or sneezes. Health officials say the virus can persist in a closed space for up to two hours after the infected person leaves. It can also be spread by direct contact with mucus or saliva — from kissing or sharing food or drinks. Child with measles. (imageBROKER/Shutterstock) Symptoms of measles can appear seven to 21 days after being exposed to an infected person. They include a fever, funny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. A red rash appears on the face three to seven days after the start of the other symptoms. The rash then progresses across the body. WECHU says the best way to stop the spread of an active case of measles is by staying home in isolation. Vaccines are also strongly recommended. In Ontario, two doses of measles vaccine are routinely given to children who are one and between four and six years old. The health unit say it's important to ensure immunizations are up to date before travelling internationally and even domestically. The measles vaccine is free and offers roughly 95 per cent protection, according to Aloosh.
CBC
04-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
'A matter of time' before measles pop up in Windsor-Essex, says top health official
The medical officer of health in Windsor-Essex says despite there not being a single reported local case of measles, it's inevitable the disease will show up. "It's a matter of time," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh. "It's a matter if the disease can find its way among those groups that are unvaccinated." Ontario has seen a sharp uptick in cases of measles in recent weeks. So much so, health officials are calling it the largest outbreak in the province in the past 30 years. "It was not that much of a surprise seeing the trends," said Aloosh. "You know that the disease is coming, it's not whether they're coming, it's about when they're coming to our region." The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has issued a letter to families with children attending school, referring to an "increase" in measles activity in the area. It's entitled "Stay Safe this March Break." Aloosh says until more recently, cases have typically been linked to international travel. However, that now includes local travel too. "Travel puts you at risk. Anyone who has not had measles or has not been completely vaccinated against measles can become sick." According to Aloosh, the primary reason for the uptick in cases is the world being behind in vaccinating children for different diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. WATCH | Once declared eradicated, measles is surging in parts of Canada: Once declared eradicated, measles is surging in parts of Canada 7 days ago Duration 2:05 Infants under 12 months of age, children, pregnant women, and people with a weakened immune system who have not been vaccinated against measles are at greater risk, according to the health unit. The virus is considered a serious respiratory infection that is highly contagious. It spreads easily in the air when someone who is infected coughs, talks or sneezes. Health officials say the virus can persist in a closed space for up to two hours after the infected person leaves. It can also be spread by direct contact with mucus or saliva — from kissing or sharing food or drinks. Symptoms of measles can appear seven to 21 days after being exposed to an infected person. They include a fever, funny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. A red rash appears on the face three to seven days after the start of the other symptoms. The rash then progresses across the body. WECHU says the best way to stop the spread of an active case of measles is by staying home in isolation. Vaccines are also strongly recommended. In Ontario, two doses of measles vaccine are routinely given to children who are one and between four and six years old. The health unit say it's important to ensure immunizations are up to date before travelling internationally and even domestically.
