Latest news with #WECHU
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Colchester Beach closed, three under warning: WECHU
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has closed one beach and three are under warning following the beach water testing results. Colchester Beach is closed, as it has bacteria levels that are too high to be deemed safe for swimming. Cedar Island Beach, Seacliff Beach, and Holiday Beach are both under warning, as they have higher levels of E. coli. If you are looking to cool off this weekend, Cedar Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, and Point Pelee North West Beach are open for swimming.
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Health unit issues vaccination reminder as more measles detected in Windsor-Essex
Wastewater surveillance is showing an increase in the measles virus, the health unit says Caption: Nine-year-old Jexer Brayan receives a MMR vaccine, which protects against contracting the disease measles, at City of Lubbock Health Department in Lubbock, Texas, USA, 01 March 2025. T (Annie Rice/Shutterstock) The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) says it's sent reminders to school-aged children who are overdue for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines as wastewater surveillance is showing an increase in measles virus in the region. Nobody has established a direct link between the wastewater signal and school-aged children, but the signal is a reminder that it's important to protect children through high community immunization, the health unit said. "Wastewater surveillance is one of the tools we use to monitor public health trends," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health. "Although clinical measles cases remain low, the presence of the virus back in the wastewater suggests that we must remain vigilant." The health unit is offering catch-up immunization clinics throughout the summer. "We want to make it as easy as possible for families to access this important vaccine," Aloosh said. "With the school year approaching and the measles virus detected in wastewater, this is a timely opportunity to ensure our community remains protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Increase in measles virus detected through wastewater surveillance: WECHU
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has sent reminders to school-aged children who are overdue for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine after an increase in the virus in wastewater surveillance in the region. WECHU says while no direct link has been established between the wastewater signal and school-aged populations, the signal serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high community immunization coverage to protect children.' Wastewater surveillance is one of the tools we use to monitor public health trends,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, WECHU medical officer of health. 'Although clinical measles cases remain low, the presence of the virus back in the wastewater suggests that we must remain vigilant.'WECHU is offering catch-up immunization clinics throughout the summer to help families in need of support with immunizations. 'We want to make it as easy as possible for families to access this important vaccine,' said Dr. Aloosh. 'With the school year approaching and the measles virus detected in wastewater, this is a timely opportunity to ensure our community remains protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.' Residents are encouraged to check their immunization records and contact their healthcare provider or WECHU for help.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ruscom River blue-green algae bloom deemed safe
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has confirmed Ruscom River is safe after announcing a blue-green algae bloom in the water. The results were within a range that was deemed safe. According to WECHU, the test determines if the bloom is releasing toxins at the time the sample was taken. It notes, though, that just because a test results in safe levels or a negative result, it doesn't mean the bloom isn't dangerous. 'Blue-green algae can turn toxin production on and off in response to different environmental factors,' WECHU wrote in a news release. 'The WECHU continues to remind residents to avoid contact with water that is discoloured or has scum on the surface.' If you make contact with discoloured or scummy water, you should wash the skin with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to get rid of any harmful substances. The following precautions should be taken if you live near a bloom: Do not drink or use water for food preparation, including infant formula Use an alternate source of safe drinking water, such as bottled water, for the duration of the bloom Do not boil and drink water that may contain blue-green algae because toxins are not destroyed by boiling and boiling may increase toxins Do not swim and avoid water sports where a bloom is present Do not allow children and pets to play in the water or drink lake water during a blue-green algae bloom. If the level of toxins is high, they may suffer serious health risks, including death.
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is issuing a precautionary notice to residents based on initial laboratory results of a blue-green algae bloom in the region. WECHU reports the bloom is in the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129, in between St. Joachim and Comber. While initial chemical analysis does not show the presence of Microcystin related toxins within the samples collected, toxicity may increase due to the algae identified in the bloom. The health unit said residents on the municipal drinking water system can continue to drink the water. Routine water testing is done by the municipal water treatment plant and at this time there are no concerns. 'As a reminder, wind and water conditions may move the blue-green algae bloom towards other areas. Residents and visitors are urged to take a cautious approach and protect themselves, their children, and their pets from potential health risks,' says Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health. Residents that use wells or cisterns that draw water directly from the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129 (such as private cottages with wells) are advised not to drink the water unless they are routinely testing for microcystins using a licensed lab and results show levels less than 1.5 ppb. What is blue-green algae? Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the late summer and early fall. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. These blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, can form solid looking clumps, and may contain toxins, called microcystins, that can be dangerous to human and animal health. Contact with microcystins can produce negative health effects in humans such as skin and eye irritations and if ingested can lead to headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
