Stay safe from insect and animal bites this summer: AHS
To prevent mosquito and tick bites, Alberta Health Services (AHS) suggests covering as much of your body as possible when outdoors – especially in grassy or wooded areas where ticks are commonly found.
The health authority recommends wearing a light-coloured, long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat as well as Health Canada-approved insect repellent.
Mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus which can affect your brain and give you flu-like symptoms.
Ticks can carry Lyme disease. AHS advises to always check for ticks when you come in from the outdoors.
Bats have been known to carry rabies in Alberta, which can impact your nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
AHS says to never handle a live or dead bat with bare hands as bats are likely to bite in self-defence.
If you or your child are bitten or scratched by a bat, AHS says to wash with soap and water and call Health Link at 811 or speak to a health care provider.
Household pets and indoor animals should be up-to-date on routine rabies immunizations.
It is also recommended that parents speak with their children about not touching wild animals and to tell an adult when they've been bitten or scratched.
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"We are proud that Health Canada has expanded its approval of Scemblix ®, making it a new option for all Canadians with chronic myeloid leukemia, whether they are newly diagnosed or have been previously treated," said Mark Vineis, Country President, Novartis Canada. "This approval means patients and their physicians now have more choices when deciding on the best course of treatment, offering renewed hope for individuals living with CML, their families, and the healthcare teams dedicated to their care." The clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of Scemblix ® is currently under review by Canada's Drug Agency (CDA) and Institut National d'Excellence en Santé et Services Sociaux (INESSS). Novartis looks forward to communicating their recommendations with the CML community, when available. About Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a type of cancer that develops in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. In 95% of patients with CML, a genetic mutation produces an abnormal chromosome in bone marrow stem cells known as the Philadelphia chromosome ("Ph chromosome"). When the Ph chromosome is present, CML is classified as Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+). 7 The Ph chromosome produces the BCR-ABL1 protein, which causes bone marrow to make too many abnormal white blood cells. These cells overcrowd healthy blood cells, which can be fatal if untreated. 7 CML has three stages: chronic, accelerated, and blast phases. 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Serious adverse events occurred in 11% of patients who received Scemblix ®. Serious adverse reactions in ≥ 1% included pancreatitis (1%). 1, 2 About Novartis Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 600 people to serve the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system and invests over $30 million in R&D yearly in the country. For more information visit SCEMBLIX ® is a registered trademark. SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
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