Latest news with #YvesLéger
Winnipeg Free Press
27-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Data analysis complete in New Brunswick's mystery brain disease; results in summer
FREDERICTON – The office of New Brunswick's chief medical officer says it has completed the first step of data analysis in its investigation into an undiagnosed neurological illness that has affected more than 400 people. Chief medical officer Dr. Yves Léger announced today that results from the analysis have been turned over to the Public Health Agency of Canada for scientific review, which will offer formal feedback. Léger says the findings will help the province determine next steps in caring for these patients, most of whom are in the Acadian Peninsula and Moncton areas. Their symptoms include memory problems and bursts of intense pain. Léger says the investigation could determine whether environmental substances have any role to play in patients' health, and results are expected this summer. In 2022, the Health Department under the province's former Progressive Conservative government said a team of six neurologists and other health experts found no evidence of a neurological illness after their investigation of 48 patients. And another study released earlier this month also found no evidence to support claims of a mystery brain disease in New Brunswick, suggesting the media may have played a role in feeding patients' fears. Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. That study was compiled by researchers with the University of Toronto, New Brunswick's Horizon Health Network and other Canadian institutions This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
COVID kills New Brunswick child aged 0-4
A New Brunswick child aged 0-4 was killed by COVID-19 between March 9-15, according to government data, and influenza killed two people aged 65 or older and one aged 45-64. The province doesn't provide any information about COVID and flu victims. Between March 9-15, 10 people were hospitalized with COVID. No one required intensive care. The province includes data on the number of tests and lab-confirmed cases, but it isn't accurate because it only counts data collected in hospitals. Forty-five people were hospitalized for influenza between March 9-15, and two people required intensive care. There were 11 lab-confirmed flu outbreaks, including seven in nursing homes and four in undisclosed facilities. There was also one outbreak of an influenza-like illness in a school. Finally, there were 66 confirmed cases of RSV between March 9-15. Three people required hospital treatment. Some New Brunswickers will soon be able to get a new COVID-19 vaccination, the government announced on Monday, but it doesn't appear the shots will be available to most. The eligible groups are, according to a government press release, 'people aged 65 or older, adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate-living settings for seniors,' and 'people six months or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to underlying conditions or treatment.' The release doesn't explain why the vaccine isn't available to everyone, other than a note saying the province is following 'updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.' Shots will be available from April 7 to June 30, and will be administered by 'participating pharmacies,' the release read. However for children under 12, the shots will only be available until June 21 because 'vaccine products for this age group are expiring and additional vaccines will not be immediately available.' 'Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to help protect yourself and your community against the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases and illnesses, including COVID-19,' chief medical health officer Dr. Yves Léger said in the release. 'Vaccines against COVID-19 are very effective at preventing severe disease in the elderly and those who are at higher risk. However, studies show that this protection does drop after many months, which is why getting a spring dose is important for those groups.'
CBC
25-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Spring COVID-19 vaccines available to some in N.B. on April 7
COVID-19 spring vaccines will be available April 7 for New Brunswickers at increased risk of severe illness from the virus, the Department of Health announced Monday. This includes people aged 65 or older, adult residents of long-term care homes and other group-living settings for seniors, and people six months or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because of underlying conditions or treatment, a news release said. Eligible New Brunswickers can begin booking appointments on March 28, either online, by calling 1-833-437-1424 or by contacting a participating pharmacy. Public Health recommends those who are eligible wait at least three months after their last COVID-19 vaccine or infection, whichever is more recent. The spring campaign will end on June 30 so it doesn't interfere with the fall COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the release said. The dose for children under 12 will only be available until June 21. That's when the current supply expires and additional vaccines "will not be immediately available." Vaccination for this age group will resume in the fall. Province now footing the bill Ottawa has been paying for COVID-19 vaccines and distributing them across the country since they became available. But the Public Health Agency of Canada quietly announced in January that provinces and territories would have to purchase their own supply. According to the agency, there is enough of the federally funded vaccines to last through the spring. New Brunswick eligibility for the spring vaccine "aligns with updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization," which covers up to the summer of 2026, the Department of Health said. National recommendations The national advisory committee on immunization strongly recommended "at least one dose per year" for the three groups in question. It also strongly recommended at least one dose per year for the following groups considered at increased risk of COVID exposure or severe disease: Individuals who are pregnant. Individuals in or from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Health-care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings. Members of racialized and other equity-denied communities. In addition, the national advisory committee said people who are not at increased risk "may receive" a dose. Department of Health officials could not immediately be reached for comment about when or if these other groups will be eligible for a COVID vaccine. "Vaccines against COVID-19 are very effective at preventing severe disease in the elderly and those who are at higher risk," Dr. Yves Léger, chief medical officer of health, said in a statement. "However, studies show that this protection does drop after many months, which is why getting a spring dose is important for those groups." The national advisory committee recommends a second dose per year for those 80 or older, adult residents of long-term care homes and other group-living settings for seniors, and people six months or older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because of underlying conditions or treatment.
CBC
06-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Dr. Yves Léger officially appointed to replace Dr. Jennifer Russell as N.B.'s top doctor
After more than a year of serving as the province's acting top doctor, Dr. Yves Léger has been officially named the new chief medical officer of health. He replaces Dr. Jennifer Russell, who announced her resignation last October and served her last day on Dec. 8. The Department of Health announced Léger's appointment in a news release Thursday afternoon. "Dr. Léger brings extensive experience in public health, as well as a deep understanding of the New Brunswick context," Health Minister John Dornan said in a statement. "He has done an excellent job as acting chief medical officer, and he has my full confidence moving forward." Léger could not immediately be reached for comment. Léger has held several roles at Public Health since 2007, including regional medical officer of health, acting deputy chief medical officer, and acting chief medical officer. No information about the search for a replacement has been provided. Department officials could not immediately be reached for comment about the recruitment process, such as where the job was posted, what kind of interest it generated, or the number of candidates interviewed. In response to previous requests from CBC News, department officials have said only that the process was "ongoing." The position paid between $325,000 and $349,000 in 2023. Russell, who became the face of the province's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing daily televised briefings, later faced questions about possible political interference, which she has denied. Léger, who is originally from Beausoleil in the Grande-Digue district and fully bilingual, studied medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke. He completed his residency in public health and preventive medicine at the University of Toronto before returning to practise in New Brunswick.
