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CBC
6 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Mosquito traps set and study launched in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region after illnesses reported
Social Sharing Mosquito traps have been set up across the Sea-to-Sky region in British Columbia as health officials launch a pilot project amid concerns of severe illness transmitted by the insects. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) said Friday that there were four cases of mosquito-borne illnesses due to the California Serogroup viruses late last year, that resulted in swelling of the brain. Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for VCH, said in an interview that the viruses aren't new to B.C., but it's unusual to see these "very severe" human cases. "So, this prompted us to study further, just to see and better characterize what is happening within the Sea to Sky area," said Khaketla. Officials are asking people to take precautions against mosquito bites in the region, as they warn that mosquito activity could increase in B.C. as the weather gets warmer due to climate change. The health authority said those who have been in the Sea-to-Sky region and develop symptoms of severe headaches with fever or seizures are advised to seek care immediately. What's the buzz with mosquitoes this year? 17 days ago Mosquitoes are top of mind for many people going outside near sunrise and sunset. The tiny pests seem to always get in the way during these warm summer days. CBC's Tristan Mottershead has more on this year's mosquito scene. As part of the monitoring study, traps have already been set up in the Sea-to-Sky region — along Howe Sound and north to Whistler and Pemberton — where officials say all the patients likely acquired the infections in the area. The purpose of the traps is to understand the area's mosquitoes and the illnesses they spread. Dr. Rohit Vijh, another VCH medical health officer, told CBC News that the traps were being set up at sites identified by local First Nations and environmental scientists, after input from the four patients who reported serious illness. The health authority said the four patients have recovered from their illness. The mosquito project will last for three months, and Vancouver Coastal Health said it wants to learn more about the risk to the public. In the meantime, those in the area should take preventive measures against mosquito bites, it said. Measures to protect against bites include wearing protective clothing, and avoiding any stagnant water around backyards that can be pools for mosquito breeding, said Khaketla. Khaketla said the purpose of the study is to help health officers learn more about the mosquito population within that corridor and understand what specific viruses that they are carrying. "We wanted people to be aware of the mosquito circulation within the Sea to Sky area, as it is summer months, we expect mosquitoes to circulate." The mosquito-borne illnesses that officials investigated, part of the so-called California Serogroup viruses, usually do not cause symptoms, but when they do occur, they are flu-like, with a fever, headache, fatigue, and occasional nausea or vomiting. Climate change risk Officials say the specific viruses that caused illness in the Sea-to-Sky region were the Snowshoe Hare virus and the Jamestown Canyon virus. Vancouver Coastal Health said that, prior to this cluster of four cases, 10 cases associated with the two viruses were reported in B.C. since 2009, two of which were in the VCH region. The health authority said in a statement that cases of mosquito-borne illnesses usually occur between May to October when there is increased mosquito activity, but this period may be extended due to "increasingly warmer temperatures" from climate change. "As our temperatures rise, as well as the period of of increased heat becomes longer and there's more months, you will see more mosquito activity," Vijh said. "The longer summers you have, the more likely more of those [mosquito] eggs will be produced and survive over the winter," he added. Vancouver Coastal Health, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, partners from the Lil'wat Nation and Squamish nations and the University of British Columbia will collaborate on the surveillance pilot project.
Global News
7 days ago
- Health
- Global News
No-swimming advisories for 9 Metro Vancouver beaches likely to last all weekend
It might be the height of summer, but taking a dip to cool off at many of Metro Vancouver beaches is currently off-limits. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has issued advisories warning that nine local beaches are not suitable for swimming due to elevated E. coli levels. The advisories cover Ambleside and Lions Bay beaches on the North Shore, along with Trail 4 at Wreck Beach, English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, Second Beach, Sunset Beach, Third Beach and Trout Lake in Vancouver. Some sites, like Third Beach, recorded E. coli levels just slightly over the recommended testing limit, while others like Trail 4 at Wreck Beach had more than 10 times the recommended limit. 'In our institutional memory at Vancouver Coastal Health, we have not had this many beaches with that assessment all at once,' said VCH medical health officer Dr. Michael Schwandt. Story continues below advertisement E. coli is the same bacteria that can be found on vegetables or in beef. It is of particular concern for vulnerable populations, such as kids and seniors. A major contributor to E. coli in the water comes from fecal matter, both human and animal. 0:00 Health Matters: Vancouver water study 'That could be from a couple of different sources, some of those could be human, so that could be boats discharging toilets out on the water, sometimes sewage leaks or overflow as well,' Schwandt said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We also worry a little bit about animal sources, so geese have been implicated in some cases … here in the Vancouver area, I would think normally of human contamination, potentially some bird as well.' Exposure to the bacteria can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses — some serious — along with potential skin irritations. Story continues below advertisement E. coli-related beach closures have become a regular occurrence in Metro Vancouver in recent years, frequently exacerbated by bouts of hot weather. Vancouver city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung said the city is doing what it can to address the issue. 'We put steps in place when I was on the Park Board such as offering free mobile (sewage) pump outs to boats, so trying to work towards addressing all the possible sources,' she said. 'Vancouver, being one of the oldest cities in the region, does not have all separated sewers, so we have been advancing the speed of that work. That's very costly and it takes a long time to do that.' Kirby-Yung added that the city has now dedicated one per cent of property tax to a dedicated infrastructure renewal fund aimed at speeding up that type of work. But she said given Vancouver's geography, the problem can likely only be minimized, not eradicated. In the meantime, officials are encouraging people to enjoy the beaches but steer clear of the ocean, and to ensure they wash their hands and shower thoroughly if they do come in contact with the water. 'At this point, we are expecting these beaches to remain closed over the weekend for the most part,' Schwandt said. Story continues below advertisement 'In the coming week we will hope for improved (E. coli) counts, and if that's the case, we will be able to reopen the beaches to swimming.'
Vancouver Sun
18-07-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Health officials to study mosquitoes in the Sea to Sky region after cluster of illness
Health officials are embarking on a study of mosquitoes in the Sea to Sky region after a cluster of severe mosquito-borne illness raised the alarm. Late last year, there were four cases of California Serogroup viruses — specifically Snowshoe Hare Virus and Jamestown Canyon Virus. All four patients became ill with encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, Vancouver Coastal Health said in a statement Friday. The number and severity of the cases triggered an investigation by health officials. They found that all four patients likely acquired the infections locally within the Sea to Sky corridor. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. VCH, along with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, the Líl̓wat and Squamish nations and the University of B.C., is embarking on a small-scale mosquito surveillance pilot project in the Sea to Sky region to better understand the local mosquito population and the viruses they carry. 'While we encourage outdoor recreation and activity, we're advising residents and travellers to the Sea to Sky area to take preventative measures against mosquito bites, between now and fall. Anyone who travels to the Sea to Sky and gets mosquito bites should seek health care if they develop neurological symptoms like confusion, seizures or severe headaches with fever, says Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health. 'We're also undertaking the mosquito surveillance project to learn more about the risk to the public,' said Khaketla. Mosquito traps have been set up at select sites throughout the region, guided by local community knowledge and study team expertise, VCH said. The study will help update the list of mosquito species in the area and test mosquitoes for potential human pathogens. This mosquito-borne disease has been in B.C. for decades but health officials say reported cases of human illness are rare. Cases typically occur from May to October when there is increased mosquito activity. However, health officials said this period may be extended due to the increasingly warmer temperatures associated with climate change. Prior to this cluster, 10 cases of had been reported provincially since 2009, with two in the VCH region. When symptoms occur, usually five-15 days after the mosquito bite, they are typically flu-like, including fever, headache, fatigue, and occasionally nausea or vomiting. Most individuals recover without the need for treatment, but in rare cases, the viruses can lead to more serious conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis, which may require hospitalization and a longer recovery time. Symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis may include confusion, seizures, and/or severe headaches with fever, according to VCH. There is no human vaccine available to prevent acquiring this group of viruses. Health officials are urging outdoor enthusiasts to take preventative measures during the summer and fall, for example use mosquito repellent, wear protective clothing and avoid dark clothing as it attracts the insects. In areas with a lot of mosquitoes, health officials advise people wear full-length pants and a long-sleeved shirt and installing mosquito screens on the windows. Residents with stagnant water on their properties are asked to consider moving them during mosquito season. This might include emptying saucers under flowerpots, changing water in bird baths twice a week, unclogging rain gutters, draining tarps, tires and other debris where rainwater may collect, and installing a fountain in ornamental ponds or stocking them with fish. Backyard pools can also be a significant breeding ground for mosquitoes if not maintained regularly, VCH said. ticrawford@
CBC
18-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Several Metro Vancouver beaches closed to swimming due to E. coli
Several beaches in Metro Vancouver are under no-swimming advisories due to high levels of They include Second Beach, Third Beach, Kitsilano Beach, Sunset Beach, English Bay, Trout Lake, as well as Dundarave Beach and Lions Bay. The advisories come after Vancouver Coastal Health's (VCH) routine water quality testing showed dangerous levels of E. coli. The most up-to-date list of affected beaches can be found here. E. coli is a bacteria that's commonly found in the intestinal tract of animals and humans, but it can also be found in swimming water that has been polluted with untreated waste. VCH says leaking septic tanks, discharge from boats and storm water runoff after heavy rains are key culprits. Michael Schwandt, a medical health officer for VCH, said that people can still go to the beach, but they should avoid going into the water until the advisories are lifted. No-swimming advisories at 8 Metro Vancouver beaches 2 hours ago "They can still be accessed for people to relax and spend time, but we would not recommend ... getting in the water," he said. Ocean water samples from West Vancouver's Dundarave Beach contained E. coli levels more than five times higher than the maximum allowable limit for safe swimming, while samples from Vancouver's Sunset Beach showed E. coli levels just over four times the allowable limit. Health officials say that swallowing water with high levels of E. coli can lead to vomiting, infections, and diarrhea. E. coli can also irritate the skin and seniors, children and people with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to it. Metro Vancouver beaches are monitored for from May to September, and many close during the summer due to high levels. The swimming advisories will remain until follow-up samples deem the water safe.
Hamilton Spectator
14-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Advocates call for new Sea to Sky regional hospital and Canada's first wellness village
A group of local physicians and community members are calling for a reimagining of health-care in the Sea to Sky corridor—a new regional hospital co-located within a master-planned wellness village, which they say would be the first of its kind in Canada. The proposal , presented to the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District (SSRHD) board on June 25, argues the aging Squamish General Hospital is no longer capable of meeting the demands of the fast-growing corridor and that simply upgrading the existing facility is no longer feasible. 'Our growing region must have a new regional hospital planned by local physicians,' Grant McRadu, a former municipal administrator and one of the advocates behind the proposal, told the board. 'Anything short of that commitment is just tinkering with the lives of those who presently live and will move to the Sea to Sky region.' The group of advocates for a new facility, which includes Dr. Steven Masselink and Dr. Richard Cudmore—the current and former medical directors of Squamish General Hospital, respectively—are looking to a site within the District of Squamish that could accommodate both a modern regional hospital and a surrounding wellness village. They say that additional space around the hospital could house complementary medical, biomedical, and long-term care facilities, as well as seniors' housing and workforce accommodations. McRadu said the idea is inspired by similar 'wellness villages' in Europe and the United States, which bundle hospitals with research, treatment and wellness hubs in walkable, purpose-built communities. 'Hospitals are expensive, but our vision proposes a way forward for a hospital to become a large economic magnet,' he told the board. 'Hospitals attract other symbiotic medical and biomedical facilities.' McRadu's group believes their vision would be the first fully master-planned health and wellness campus in the country, designed from the ground up to integrate medical services with long-term residential, recreational and employment opportunities. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is currently midway through its Health Vision Sea to Sky master planning process , which is evaluating long-term health-care needs across the region. McRadu said while VCH's CFO and the former chair of the board have both expressed support for the concept of clustering health facilities around hospitals, he's frustrated that local physicians have been largely excluded from the planning process. 'VCH is once again in another round of community engagements that are neglecting input from local Sea to Sky medical professionals,' he said. 'We now need our communities to understand the enormous health challenges our current hospital is facing and most importantly, we are now looking to you, the SLRD hospital board to become the local champion that will lead VCH to approve the funding of a new regional district hospital.' VCH did not respond to a request for comment before Pique's publication deadline. Cudmore, who has practiced in Squamish since 1978, described the current hospital as desperately outdated. 'There's not enough beds, there is a very small [emergency] department. We have almost no diagnostics, no CT, no MRI, and we've got very little space for our [operating rooms]. We have no facilities for pediatrics. Our psychiatry department has no space to manage inpatients or outpatients,' he told the board. Cudmore said any new facility must be built with the future in mind. 'Our vision is one of a regional district hospital that meets the needs from Lillooet down to Squamish,' he told the board. 'We envisage the hospital meeting the needs for the next 30 to 50 years.' Although the group's primary goal is to see VCH commit to funding a new hospital, the proposed wellness village offers an opportunity to address systemic health-care challenges, including the recruitment and retention of medical professionals. Retired Squamish lawyer Brian Hughes, another member of the delegation, told the board traditional hospital builds put communities in direct competition with one another for scarce medical staff. 'The concept of the wellness village and that ability to attract other biomedical facilities is something that's unique,' he said. Squamish director Chris Pettingill questioned whether the Sea to Sky population is large enough to support the full scope of the wellness village vision. Hughes acknowledged that the group had not fully analyzed the population thresholds, but emphasized that the hospital itself remains the primary objective. 'Our No. 1 concern right now is a new regional district hospital,' said Cudmore. 'If it has land around it that can support medical issues—be it research, be it accommodations, be it offices for physicians, chiropractors and the like, that's fine. But the main focus is we have to get the hospital built.' The SSRHD board voted to advocate that VCH move quickly to approve funding and construction of a new Sea to Sky regional hospital. Hospital board chair Jenna Stoner said a new hospital remains a top priority. Stoner added the wellness village concept presents 'very, very interesting' opportunities for both health-care delivery and economic development. 'I think it merits more discussion amongst this board and as well with the District of Squamish council for how we actually advance that economic development piece and the research you folks are talking about,' she told the delegation. The proposal comes as Vancouver Coastal Health continues public engagement on its draft Health Vision Sea to Sky clinical services plans, which are expected to shape health infrastructure investments for the next 10 years and beyond. 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 .
