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Today, Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement on a case of influenza A H1N1 variant detected in Ontario:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/news/release/2012/sep/nr_20120925_1.aspx

September 21, 2012 – Public Health to Begin Vaccinating in Schools on September 24

The Peterborough Public Health is expanding the free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program to protect more young women from this common cancer-causing virus. 

Females born between 1994 and 1998, who missed the full (three-dose) course of the vaccine when they were in Grade 8, can now get the vaccine for free from Public Health.

“This is great news as public health nurses prepare to head into the schools on September 24 to start vaccinating students against Hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and HPV,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “Girls who missed their HPV shots in Grade 8 or who didn’t receive all three doses the first time around can now get it to protect themselves from cervical cancer for free as long as they have signed consent forms from their parents.” 

Dr. Salvaterra emphasized that all three vaccines offered through the schools are not only free but extremely safe and are one of the best ways parents can protect their children from these serious diseases.

To find out when public health nurses will be visiting schools, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and click on “School Vaccination Program 2012/13”.

All Grade 7 students will be eligible to receive vaccines to protect them against Hepatitis B, a disease that can cause permanent liver damage and cancer, and meningococcal disease, a serious infection of the blood and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Grade 8 girls and those born from 1994 and 1998 are entitled to receive the vaccine for protection against HPV, a virus that can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer.  The Ontario government launched the free HPV vaccine program in 2007. 

Public health nurses will be in schools giving immunizations throughout the fall so parents are strongly encouraged to return the consent forms to the schools so their students can receive the vaccine.  For further information, please call Public Health at 705-743-1000.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

 

September 21, 2012 – Local Event Part of World Breastfeeding Awareness Week Celebrations

The Peterborough Public Health together with the Peterborough Breastfeeding Coalition is calling on all breastfeeding mothers in the area to set a new world record for simultaneous breastfeeding at the 2012 Breastfeeding Challenge event at Galaxy Theatres on Saturday, September 29 starting at 10:30 a.m.

This event rallies nursing women to “latch on” at 11:00 a.m. local time and be counted toward two new world records including the most mothers breastfeeding simultaneously at one location, and the most mothers breastfeeding at the same time in a province, territory or state.  Following this, families will be treated to a free movie.  This endeavour is part of the 2012 Global Breastfeeding Challenge, an annual international event led by the Quintessence Foundation who will post the results on their website www.babyfriendly.ca .

“It’s important that nursing mothers and their families from Peterborough city and county gather together and celebrate the importance of breastfeeding, and that they are supported by their community,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “Breastfeeding provides children with nutritional, emotional, immunological, anti-allergenic, and developmental benefits for as long as a child is breastfed, and has lasting effects even into adulthood.”  

The 2012 Breastfeeding Challenge is just one way Public Health encourages breastfeeding in the community as part of its commitment to being Baby Friendly.  The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global strategy that encourages health care facilities to implement specific practices which protect, promote and support breastfeeding.  The Public Health was designated Baby Friendly in July of 2008, becoming the second one in the province to receive this designation, and Public Health will be striving for re-designation in 2013.

For more information, please contact:

Dawn Hanes
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 289

September 20, 2012 – Expectant parents and their families are invited to attend a Prenatal Health Fair hosted by Peterborough Public Health at the Holiday Inn on Monday, September 24 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Moms-to-be will receive a free DVD entitled “Move for Two” promoting physical activity during pregnancy. The video offers pregnant women a fitness routine for all levels of energy and experience as well as safety tips for mothers and their babies while they exercise.

This event is free and open to everyone with an interest in learning how best to prepare for having a baby, and about the supports available in the Peterborough area.  The Prenatal Health Fair features interactive displays and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics such as nutrition for baby and Mom, becoming a parent, baby’s development, and much more.  Highlights include the “empathy belly”, fathering/parenting displays, and the chance to win a door prize.

Free Fitness DVDs for Moms-to-be!

For more details, please call Kris Hazlitt at Peterborough Public Health at (705) 743-1000, ext. 254.

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For further information, please contact:

Helen Ames, Public Health Nurse
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 214

Youth Speak About Alcohol and Drugs

Youth Speakers Share Their Stories

Join us and YouthSpeak to explore the stories of young people who have experiences with alcohol and drug use. Youth Speakers will share their stories about substance use and explore with parents the pathways they took toward change and the role family and adult role models played in their journey. Their will be plenty of time for questions
and answers after the presentation. (learn about YouthSpeak at youthspeak.ca)

St. Peter’s Secondary School
Monday, October 15, 2012, 7pm
For more information: 705-876-1122, ext 292
info@peterboroughdrugstrategy.com

Click here to view the Board of Health Meeting Summary September 12, 2012

Breastfeeding?

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2012

Join us to celebrate breastfeeding in a fun “competition” where every child wins because
they are breastfed.

This event is part of a global challenge to see which community can have the most breastfeeding babies “latched on” at 11:00 a.m. local time.

Saturday, September 29, 2012
10:30 a.m.
Galaxy Cinemas
320 Water Street, Peterborough

After the breastfeeding challenge, stay and enjoy a free family-friendly movie, door prizes, and refreshments.

Participants will receive a free digital portrait provided by Digital Heat Photography.

Friends and family welcome.
No registration required.
For more information call
705-743-1000 or click here to view the poster for this event!

September 14, 2012 – Free Presentation on September 20 to Highlight New Canadian Innovation in Infection Control

Renowned infection control expert Dr. Dick Zoutman will share a new Canadian technological advance that can effectively destroy so-called “superbugs” from hospitals during a free presentation at the Evinrude Centre on Thursday, September 20, 2012 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  

Entitled Saving Countless Lives: What’s New in Infection Control in Hospitals, his presentation will describe how this new method uses ozone and hydrogen peroxide to kill the antibiotic-resistant organisms that can lead to hospital-acquired infections. 

It is estimated that in Canada 5% to 10% of patients acquire an infection after admission to hospitals, resulting in 8,000 deaths each year.

Hosted by Peterborough Public Health, Dr. Zoutman will share the latest in hospital-based infection control methods designed to protect patients, staff and the community at large.  As part of the event, guests will also have a chance to find out how well they wash their hands through an interactive demonstration after the presentation.

The September 20 presentation is free and open to all and following Dr. Zoutman’s presentation there will be a question and answer session.  To register, please call (705)743-1000 ext. 135 or do so online at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Marilyn Mitchell, RN
Public Health Nurse
705- 743-1000, ext. 270

September 12, 2012 – Public Health Releases 2012 Report “Limited Incomes: A Recipe For Hunger”

Today Peterborough Public Health released its annual Limited Incomes: A Recipe For Hunger report that shows Peterborough’s most vulnerable residents continue to suffer from an inability to eat nutritiously based on current food costs.

“It is distressing to see the health of thousands of local residents compromised because social assistance programs don’t provide enough income for them to afford nutritious foods,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “It’s well known that helping people gain food security not only improves their overall quality of life but reduces future strain on the health system.  With ten percent of our local households experiencing food insecurity, this is a public health crisis that requires the urgent attention and cooperation of all levels of government.”

While the report notes local food prices have increased by 6.5% over the past two years, the main issue for residents is not the cost of food, but that their incomes are too low.  For example, after paying for his shelter costs, a single man receiving Ontario Works benefits would experience a monthly deficit of $261 if he spent the $264 required for a nutritious diet, and this does not include other basic necessities such as clothing, transportation and medical costs.

Dr. Salvaterra said she is very concerned about this local issue worsening in the face of cuts by the province to funding for Discretionary Benefits and housing benefits accessed by people on social assistance.

To access a copy of the 2012 Limited Incomes: A Recipe For Hunger report, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca, click on “About Us” and then “Plans and Reports”.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

September 7, 2012 – Public Health Advises Residents to Protect Themselves Against Mosquito Bites

The Peterborough Public Health continues to advise the public that mosquitoes in the City of Peterborough have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNv).  The latest pool of mosquitoes positive for WNv were trapped September 4 and 5, 2012.

This is the sixth positive mosquito pool found within the City of Peterborough this year.  The latest pool of positive mosquitoes was trapped in a different area of the City from previous mosquitoes which tested positive for the virus. The various positive pools have been located in distinct geographical areas, indicating that the virus is probably in mosquitoes city-wide.

As of September 1, 2012, 409 positive mosquito pools had been found in Ontario. On September 4, 2012, there were 116 confirmed and probable human cases of the virus in Ontario with no deaths. In 2011 at the same time of the year, there were only 244 positive mosquito pools reported with 52 confirmed and probable human cases.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported an alarming increase in the number of human cases of WNv.  Over 1,900 human cases have been reported, including 87 deaths.  This is the highest number of human WNV cases reported to the CDC since the virus was detected in the United States in 1999.

To date, there have been no human cases of WNv reported to Peterborough Public Health.  Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not show any symptoms.  In rare cases, there may be more serious symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion and tremors.  Older adults are usually more affected than children.  Individuals experiencing severe headache, fever, body ache, nausea, vomiting and rash, should consult a physician.  Symptoms usually develop between 2 and 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Prevention against bites is the best protection against WNv. Now that the virus is probably present across the City of Peterborough, all residents are strongly advised to use personal protective measures while outdoors to avoid mosquito bites.  These measures include:

  • using a Health Canada approved insect repellant containing DEET;
  • wearing light-coloured clothing and covering up when in areas where mosquitoes are present;
  • taking extra precautions, especially in early morning and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active; and
  • removing standing water around your home.

It is extremely important that residents eliminate standing water on their properties which may continue to serve as mosquito breeding sites as well as to protect themselves from mosquito bites. For additional information on protective measures against the West Nile virus such as reducing mosquito breeding sites and the safe use of insect repellents, please consult Public Health’s website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Julie Ingram
Public Health Inspector
705-743-1000, ext. 351