Latest news with #GrandEriePublicHealth
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Heat warning issued by Grand Erie Public Health 24 hours after cancelling last alert
The sun is shining in this undated stock image (Pixabay/Pexels). The Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has once again issued a heat warning for the Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk regions. The alert was issued on Sunday at 11:16 a.m., 24 hours after the agency cancelled their last heat warning. Temperatures on Sunday were expected to reach up to 30 to 34 degrees Celsius in Brant County, feeling more like 35 with the humidex, according to Environment Canada. The weather agency also reported heat warnings in effect for much of southwestern Ontario, including Waterloo Region. They expected the heat and sunny conditions to continue into the week. GEPH said heat warnings are issued when daytime temperatures are expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius and above with overnight temperatures more than 20 degrees Celsius or when the humidex is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. Signs of heat illness Heat illness is a serious concern when the mercury rises, especially in older adults, infants, young children, pregnant people, those with physical or mental illnesses, people with mobility issues, those who work outside and the homeless community. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Headache Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or fainting Extreme thirst Dark urine and decreased urination Intense fatigue Confusion or lack of coordination Skin rash Muscle cramps Heavy sweating Rapid breathing and heartbeat Heat stroke, meanwhile, is considered a medical emergency. Those symptoms include: High body temperature Very hot, red skin Confusion or change in consciousness Dizziness or fainting If someone is experiencing heat stroke, experts advise moving them to a cool place, giving them water and placing ice packs on their body. Call 911 immediately. Beating the heat The key to avoiding heat illness is to plan ahead. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Know the weather forecast before going outside Modify your plans according to the weather Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, even before you feel thirsty Avoid drinks that are high in sugar, caffeine or alcohol Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric Seek shade Avoid sun exposure if you can Take breaks as needed Avoid using your oven Take a cool shower or bath Take a break by spending a few hours in a cool place Close blinds and shades, Turn on air conditioning or use a fan Cooling centres The best way to get relief from the heat and humidity is to seek out a designated cooling centre. The Region of Waterloo has locations listed on their website. They include libraries, community centres, museums and regional offices. The map also includes a list of public swimming pools and splash pads. Protecting your pets Leaving pets inside a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes, could be dangerous. Dogs can experience heatstroke, which could lead to organ failure and, ultimately, death. Signs of an overheated pet include: Excessive panting Drooling Vomiting Collapsing Lethargy Tongue can appear red or hang out of their mouth If your pet is suffering from the heat, it's a good idea to gradually cool them down. Experts suggest using a cool blanket or towel that is wet. Avoid using ice. Owners should keep pets at home when the temperature climbs but if they need to go outside, keep them off the pavement as much as possible, only go for a short walk, or take them out in the morning or evening when it's cooler.
CTV News
20-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Pet owners warned of ticks transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
A Rocky Mountain wood tick (left) and American dog tick (right). (Source: Public Health Agency of Canada) Grand Erie Public Health is urging pet owners to be extra vigilant about tick removal after Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was found in animals who had recently visited Long Point. 'RMSF can be life-threatening in both humans and animals if not treated early,' the health unit wrote in a social media post Sunday. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, like Lyme disease, is a bacterial illness spread through the bite of an infected tick. It is found in several species, including the American dog tick, the brown dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. The most common symptoms are fever, headache and rash. Medication can be prescribed once symptoms start but, if left untreated, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is potentially fatal. Preventing tick bites Tips to reduce the risk of tick bites: Avoid tick-infested areas Wear light-coloured long sleeves and pants outdoors, as well as closed-toe shoes Tuck pant legs into socks before walking through long grass Use insect repellents with DEET or Icaridin on skin and clothing Conduct tick checks after outdoor activities, feel for bumps or look for tiny dark spots (ticks can be as small as a sesame seed) Take a shower or bath within two hours of being outdoors Use tick prevention products on pets Removing and disposing of ticks Ticks need to be removed within 24 hours to prevent infection. Here's what to do if you find one: Use tweezers or a specialized tick remover to grab hold of its body as close to the skin as possible Pull it straight out Apply antiseptic ointment on the bite Write down where you found the tick on your body, as well as well as the time and place you may have picked it up Call your doctor if you feel unwell, are unable to remove the tick yourself or if it has buried itself too deeply into the skin Do not: Use petroleum jelly or other products Burn the tick Crush or damage the tick while trying to remove it Experts recommend killing the tick by drowning them in rubbing alcohol or putting them in the freezer for several hours. Once dead, they can be thrown into the garbage. Physical symptoms If you have been bitten by a tick, here are some of the symptoms to watch out for: Circular red rash around the bite Fever Chills Swollen glands Headache Diarrhea Weakness Dry cough Joint pain Muscle ache Stiff neck Reporting ticks If you find a tick, on yourself or your pet, take a photo and submit it to for expert identification within 24 hours. An email will be sent with the results. You can also check out the public tick map for other confirmed sightings.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Hagersville meat shop ordered to close by Grand Erie Public Health
Grand Erie Public Health said it issued a closure order for Jepson's Fresh Meats in Hagersville. According to a media release from the health unit on Friday, it was a precautionary move due to safety concerns. 'Public Health has reason to believe that the premises have been without electrical power for a prolonged period,' it said. 'As a result, refrigeration systems are likely non-functional, and perishable food items may have spoiled. Spoiled food can pose a significant health risk if consumed.' Grand Erie Public Health said 'efforts have been made to contact the business operator' and a closure notice was posted at the store. They also urged customers not to purchase or consume food from Jepson's Fresh Meats until a full inspection is conducted and the order is lifted.
Hamilton Spectator
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Watch out for measles at summer camp, Grand Erie health unit warns
The top doc in one of Ontario's measles hot spots wants kids to get vaccinated before heading to summer camp. Grand Erie Public Health says the vast majority of Ontario's measles cases are in children who do not have two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 'This may pose a possibility of measles exposure at summer camps, including day camps and overnight camps,' acting medical officer of health Dr. Rebecca Comley said in a letter sent Wednesday to parents and caregivers in Haldimand-Norfolk and Brantford-Brant. Children who are not vaccinated remain at risk of potentially serious side effects should they catch the highly contagious respiratory disease, the health unit said. Since the current outbreak began last October, 149 Ontarians have been hospitalized with measles, including 107 children, with 11 of those patients requiring intensive care. A baby born with measles and other underlying health conditions died in the Southwestern health unit, which leads the province in measles cases. But a measles exposure at a summer camp or daycare could create problems for children and families even if no kids get sick, Comley said. After assessing the risk level, public health may request campers whose vaccination status is unclear to go into a 21-day quarantine unless families can show a valid proof of immunization. 'If they have proof of immunity, they can continue to attend camp if they do not have any symptoms,' Comley said, adding proof needs to be in the form of a yellow immunization card or a printout from a doctor's office or the health unit. 'Verbal reports will not be accepted,' Comley said. 'Those who are unsure of their vaccination status or require vaccination are asked to contact their health-care provider to get caught up … before the start of camp.' Health officials say measles is spread by respiratory droplets that can hang in the air even after an infected person leaves the room. Southwestern Public Health has advised camp operators to keep kids outdoors as much as possible, including for activities and meals. To reduce the chance of measles spreading, camps should also prioritize improved indoor ventilation and avoid larger gatherings by keeping campers in small cohorts. The warning from public health comes as Ontario's measles outbreak appears to be slowing. The latest report from Public Health Ontario, released June 26, said there were 33 new measles cases reported in the province over the past week, down from 96 the previous week. Most of Grand Erie's 287 cases have been recorded among unvaccinated children and teens in western Norfolk, which borders Southwestern. Children typically get their first MMR dose around their first birthday and a second dose between the ages of four and six. But because of the high rate of measles in Grand Erie, children can get a second dose as soon as four weeks after their first birthday to maximize protection. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
02-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Vaccination report card: How many Hamilton-area students had their vaccinations by year-end?
Higher rates of Hamilton-area students are opting out of routine vaccinations amid a rise in measles cases across Ontario. The once-eradicated disease is one of nine public school students must be protected against, however, students may apply for an exemption based on medical or philosophical reasons. In March, about 5.7 per cent of all elementary and high school students in the City of Brantford and the County of Brant and about four per cent in Haldimand and Norfolk County had vaccine exemptions, according to Grand Erie Public Health. Its region has had the second-highest number of cases (287) in Ontario's measles outbreak. But by the end of the school year, the number of exemptions had inched up 0.2 per cent for Brantford-Brant students. In Haldimand-Norfolk, it rose to 6.4 per cent. The once-eradicated measles disease has been spreading in Ontario. In Hamilton, about 4.7 per cent of students had exemptions as of June 16, up from less than 2.5 per cent about a year ago and nearly three per cent in 2018-19, chief medical officer of health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said in an email. It's also up slightly from 4.5 per cent in late March, before the most recent round of enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act. It's a 'really worrisome' trend, immunologist Dawn Bowdish previously said. This suggests the rate of students trying to avoid vaccinations has increased with enforcement efforts, which ramped up in 2024-25 after being paused for several years during the pandemic. Hundreds of Hamilton-area students missing vaccination records or a valid exemption were suspended this year under the provincial legislation, which has been historically successful in ensuring high vaccination rates at schools. Enforcement will continue with additional cohorts next year, Richardson said. Exemption rates are particularly concerning when it comes to stopping measles outbreaks, a task that requires 95 per cent of the population to be vaccinated. Often certain schools or regions have greater concentrations of students abstaining from vaccines, potentially creating 'pockets of infections,' Bowdish, a professor in the department of medicine at McMaster University, said in March. Eight schools — including five private religious schools — in the GEPH region have grappled with measles exposures since January. For the health unit, it meant managing more than 30 staff and 592 student exclusions (folks who were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or had unknown vaccination status) to protect them from catching the highly contagious virus, according to a report the board of health saw earlier this month. In Hamilton, the current rate is lower among elementary-aged students at 4.6 per cent, and higher among secondary-aged students at five per cent, a gap that has narrowed since March. A measles sign at the entrance to the Brantford General Hospital emergency department. Overall, 4,385 students — 3,012 elementary-aged and 1,374 high school-aged — of 92,618 students had exemptions as of mid-June. Students with exemptions may have received some or all routine childhood vaccines, and getting an exemption takes work, Bowdish pointed out. Applicants require either a statement from a doctor for a medical exemption or a form signed by a notary, justice of the peace or other certifier for religious or philosophical reasons. They're also required to participate in an education session about immunization and vaccine safety. No major religion explicitly prohibits vaccinations, she noted. Of the 2008, 2013, 2016 and 2017 cohorts who had submitted exemptions with GEPH, an average of less than one per cent were for medical reasons, according to public health data. Celeste Percy-Beauregard's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories about Brant County. Reach her at cpercybeauregard@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
