Latest news with #WellingtonDufferinGuelphPublicHealth
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
It's a hot summer and that means blue-green algae is back, GRCA warns
The hot weather this summer means blue-green algae is starting to bloom in local waterways, the Grand River Conservation Authority says. So far this summer, blue-green algae has been seen near the west side of Shand Dam at Belwood Lake reservoir. In the past, the algae has also shown up in Conestogo Lake, Guelph Lake and Woolwich reservoirs, as well as at Snyder's Flats. When an algal bloom starts to grow, "a noticeable green or brown scum will form on the surface of water bodies and the water look like green or bluish-green pea soup," the conservation authority says. "Once blue-green algae are in full bloom, it may look like spilled 'paint' along the shoreline. A new blue-green algal bloom often smells like fresh cut grass, while an older bloom can smell like rotting garbage." The algae grows thanks in part to nutrients from fields and lawns that end up in local waterways and reservoirs when it rains, the authority says. People are reminded not to touch the algae as it can be harmful to people and pets. As well as avoiding any contact with the blue-green algae, people shouldn't use water from a reservoir where the algae is found and should not eat fish from the water, either. Assume it contains toxins: health unit Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health notes on its website that blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, usually shows up in late summer or early fall and higher water temperatures help it grow. "There's no way to tell by looking at a bloom whether it contains toxins or not. As a precaution, regard any blue-green algal bloom as potentially toxic," the health unit says. People who do come in contact with blue-green algae may experience itchy or irritated eyes and skin, headaches, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea. If large amounts are ingested, there can be more serious effects such as liver damage. The health unit also notes infants and children under the age of six are most at risk of developing health problems if exposed to the algae. If someone does come into contact with blue-green algae, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health says they should rinse off immediately with clean water and watch for symptoms. If symptoms show up, speak to a health-care provider. People who spot blue-green algae where there are no posted signs are asked to report it to the Grand River Conservation Authority and or the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks spill action centre.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
It's a hot summer and that means blue-green algae is back, GRCA warns
The hot weather this summer means blue-green algae is starting to bloom in local waterways, the Grand River Conservation Authority says. So far this summer, blue-green algae has been seen near the west side of Shand Dam at Belwood Lake reservoir. In the past, the algae has also shown up in Conestogo Lake, Guelph Lake and Woolwich reservoirs, as well as at Snyder's Flats. When an algal bloom starts to grow, "a noticeable green or brown scum will form on the surface of water bodies and the water look like green or bluish-green pea soup," the conservation authority says. "Once blue-green algae are in full bloom, it may look like spilled 'paint' along the shoreline. A new blue-green algal bloom often smells like fresh cut grass, while an older bloom can smell like rotting garbage." The algae grows thanks in part to nutrients from fields and lawns that end up in local waterways and reservoirs when it rains, the authority says. People are reminded not to touch the algae as it can be harmful to people and pets. As well as avoiding any contact with the blue-green algae, people shouldn't use water from a reservoir where the algae is found and should not eat fish from the water, either. Assume it contains toxins: health unit Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health notes on its website that blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, usually shows up in late summer or early fall and higher water temperatures help it grow. "There's no way to tell by looking at a bloom whether it contains toxins or not. As a precaution, regard any blue-green algal bloom as potentially toxic," the health unit says. People who do come in contact with blue-green algae may experience itchy or irritated eyes and skin, headaches, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea. If large amounts are ingested, there can be more serious effects such as liver damage. The health unit also notes infants and children under the age of six are most at risk of developing health problems if exposed to the algae. If someone does come into contact with blue-green algae, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health says they should rinse off immediately with clean water and watch for symptoms. If symptoms show up, speak to a health-care provider. People who spot blue-green algae where there are no posted signs are asked to report it to the Grand River Conservation Authority and or the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks spill action centre.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Dead crow in Guelph tests positive for West Nile virus
An adult mosquito is shown in the laboratory as the 2007 West Nile Virus program of the Middlesex-London Health Unit kicked off in Strathroy, Ont., Thursday May 10, 2007. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley) A dead crow found in Guelph has tested positive for the West Nile virus. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, who was notified of the results, said no human cases of the illness have been reported. 'The detection of West Nile Virus in a dead bird in our region means that mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus are present locally,' Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, the unit's associate medical officer of health, said in Wednesday's media release. 'While the risk of severe illness is low, we encourage everyone to take simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites.' The virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes. While most people do not experience any symptoms, some may develop a fever, headache, body aches, mild rash or swollen lymph glands. In very rare cases, fewer than one per cent, symptoms can be more severe and affect the central nervous system. Symptoms include headaches, a high fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, drowsiness and confusion. Those could eventually lead to loss of consciousness, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, paralysis or even death. Mild cases typically recover within a week, while people with serious complications could still experience symptoms months or even years after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health shared the following prevention tips: Wear light-coloured clothing outdoors Wear long sleeves and pants outdoors Use an approved mosquito repellant Repair holes in screen doors and windows Remove standing water from your property so they don't become a breeding ground for mosquitoes (drain flowerpots, kids' pools, bird baths, other water features) Dead birds can be reported for testing to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
CBC
16-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Dead crow found in Guelph tests positive for West Nile virus
A dead crow found in Guelph has tested positive for the West Nile virus. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health said Wednesday there are currently no human cases, but the presence of the virus in the crow shows it's circulating and transmission is possible. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. "While the risk of severe illness is low, we encourage everyone to take simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites," associate medical officer Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum said in a release. Public health says the most effective way to avoid the virus is to reduce the risk of getting mosquito bites. People can do that by: Wearing light-coloured clothing (including long sleeves and pants). Using an approved mosquito repellant. Repairing holes in screen doors and windows. Reducing breeding places for mosquitos by removing standing water from properties including draining potential reservoirs like flowerpots and kids' pools and by frequently replacing water in bird baths and other water features. Public Health Ontario says on its website that most people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms. Others may experience a fever, head and body aches, fatigue, rash or in more serious cases, meningitis (swelling of brain and/or spinal cord) or encephalitis (brain swelling).
CBC
16-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
2 Kitchener high schools closed Friday after measles cases
Two Kitchener high schools are closed on Friday due to measles cases. Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener will remain closed on Friday after a positive measles case at the high school and St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School is also closed on Friday. The Waterloo Catholic District School Board said the positive case at St. Mary's means exposure to measles by staff and students on May 8. "Out of an abundance of caution and to allow time for public health to complete necessary vaccination verification and help prevent further spread of the virus, St. Mary's will be closed on Friday," the board said on its website. The Waterloo Region District School Board says the confirmed case at Eastwood means there was exposure to measles by staff and students on May 7 and 8. "Due to the time necessary for Region of Waterloo Public Health to complete the required steps in vaccination verification, the school will remain closed on Friday," the school board said in a notice on its website. The school was also closed on Thursday. Both boards say students will learn asynchronously and "may also work on previously-assigned work or spend time reviewing material previously covered," the school board said. There are now 59 measles cases in Waterloo region and 53 in the area covered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. The new numbers were released by Public Health Ontario on Thursday and reflect 11 new cases in Waterloo region and seven in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph between May 6 to May 13. In all of Ontario, there were 182 new cases in the same time period, bringing the total to 1,622.
