Latest news with #HealthUnit
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Swimming not recommended at two local beaches ahead of Canada Day
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit said only four beaches in the area are deemed safe for swimming leading into Canada Day. Colchester Beach in Colchester and Holiday Beach in Amherstburg are under a warning due to high E. coli levels. Cedar Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee North West Beach, and Seacliff Beach are all deemed safe for swimming. Sandpoint Beach has been closed by the city for safety reasons.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Blue-green algae confirmed in Commanda Lake
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is advising residents on the southwest part of Commanda Lake to be cautious after a harmful algae bloom, also known as blue-green algae, was confirmed in the lake. (File) The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is advising residents on the southwest part of Commanda Lake to be cautious after a harmful algae bloom, also known as blue-green algae, was confirmed in the lake. The bloom was confirmed by a June 16 testing sample taken by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. 'While blue-green algae blooms may not always show the presence of toxins, there is always the risk that toxins could be produced,' the health unit said in a news release Thursday. 'Toxins can stay in the water for up to three weeks after the algae bloom is gone, causing skin irritation, and if swallowed, diarrhea and vomiting.' Toxins could be anywhere Anyone who uses water from Commanda Lake may be affected, depending on their closeness to the algae bloom, wind direction, water flow and other environmental conditions. 'Due to the many factors involved, it cannot be determined where and when there are toxins, or when the water is safe to use for private water systems,' the release said. 'Individuals who live near where a bloom was detected or where a bloom is visible should exercise their judgment before using the water.' For the time being, don't use the water for drinking, bathing or swimming. Keep pets and children away from the bloom. 'Using a private water system or boiling the water will not destroy the toxins,' the health unit said. 'Do not allow pets or livestock to swim in or drink the water. If skin contact does occur, wash with soap and water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.' For more information about harmful algae, click here or contact the health unit at 705-474-1400, ext. 5400. For further details on the sampling process, contact the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tips to stay sun safe while outside this summer
A woman helps a man apply sunscreen as they relax at Britannia Beach in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Eastern Ontario's medical officer of health is urging people to lather on the sunscreen as they head outside this summer, warning exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburns and cancer. 'The sunscreen is kind of your best friend,' Dr. Paul Roumeliotis told CTV Morning Live. Environment Canada says the UV index will be 7 or high today and Thursday in Ottawa, with sunshine in the forecast all weekend. 'It's quite important to recognize that, yes you tanned and so on, but there are dangers,' Roumeliotis said Wednesday morning. 'The truth of the matter is that exposure to the sun and sun burns produce cancer; you can get cancer 20-30 years later. So, the more you're exposed, the longer you're exposed it accumulates – the higher your risk. I call it being sun aware and sun safe.' Exposure to UV rays from the sun can lead to sunburns, wrinkles, skin damage, skin cancer, eye lesions and cataracts. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says the people most at risk to UV rays from the sun are children, people participating in outdoor sports and recreation and outdoor workers. Dr. Roumeliotis says sunscreens are 'safe and will prevent cancer.' 'Sunscreen has to have an SPF factor. So what is SPF? Sun protection factor. We recommend 30 or over; what it means is if you apply it, you get protection 30 times longer than if you did not apply it,' Roumeliotis said. 'One thing we should be looking at as well is should not include PABA because that can irritate the skin. As long as the SPF is there.' The health unit offers several tips to enjoy the sun safely, including limiting time outdoors when the UV index is 3 or higher and between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dr. Roumeliotis recommends applying sunscreen to all parts of your skin that stick out, including nose, ears and shoulders. 'Everything that is exposed to the skin. You should do that 15-20 minutes before you go out,' Roumeliotis said. 'The waterproof, you need to replace it every two hours. Especially if children go through the water, when they dry off reapply it because it will wear off.' Roumeliotis insists sunscreen is safe. 'There's no question that scientific research after research has shown if you don't protect your skin against the sun, the accumulation of those UVA and UVB rays can cause cancer,' Roumeliotis said. 'Skin cancer can be fatal. This is not anything to play with. Influencers or not, bottom line is sunscreens are safe and will prevent cancer.' Other tips to enjoy the sun safely this summer include:
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New Medical Officer at Simcoe County District Health Unit
Lisa Simon has been named the new Medical Officer of Health at Simcoe County District Health Unit.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
East Ferris council chooses new mayor to replace Pauline Rochefort
In a 2-1 council vote on May 13, Municipal Coun. Richard (Rick) Champagne was elected to take over the position for the remainder of the term. An undated photo of East Ferris municipal councillor Rick Champagne is shown. (North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit)
