Connecting to the Community

June 17, 2013 -  Click here to view the Board of Health Summary, June 12, 2013

June 13, 2013 -  Peterborough County-City Health Unit Advises Residents to Protect Themselves This Summer

The Peterborough County-City Health Unit is encouraging local residents to take precautions against West Nile virus (WNv), a potentially dangerous disease transmitted by mosquitoes from infected birds.

The Health Unit has begun its 2013 Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program which includes mosquito surveillance of storm water management ponds and trapping live mosquitoes to test them for WNv. The Health Unit also responds to complaints from local residents about standing water and enforces the City of Peterborough stagnant water by-law which states that standing water may not be present for more than four days on any property to limit the possibility of mosquito breeding.

West Nile virus is a disease that anyone can get from the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes can transmit the virus after becoming infected by feeding on the blood of wild birds, which are the main carriers of the disease.

West Nile virus is not contagious. It is only transmitted through blood and cannot be transmitted by human-to-human contact. Humans can only acquire West Nile virus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

In 2012, Peterborough had seven mosquito pools test positive for West Nile out of a total of 464 positive mosquito pools in Ontario with 605 in Canada. There were a total of 433 clinical cases and 17 asymptomatic infections reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Of the 433 clinical cases, 139 (32%) were classified as Neurological Syndrome, 244 (56%) as Non-Neurological Syndrome, and 50 (12%) as unclassified. There were six deaths across Canada associated with WNv. In the United States, there were 22,778 mosquito pools identified with West Nile virus and 5,674 human cases with 286 deaths.

For the best protection against West Nile virus, the Health Unit recommends the following:

• Wear light coloured clothing (cover bare skin whenever possible)
• Use insect repellents; those that contain DEET are most effective
• Stay indoors at peak times (dawn and dusk)
• Ensure there are no holes in window/door screens

Eliminating standing water is also an important approach to reducing mosquito breeding, especially in urban settings.  This includes water found in common areas such as birdbaths, old tires, rain barrels, neglected swimming pools, gutters/eaves troughs, clogged drainage ditches, plant saucers, children’s toys, and boats/canoes. This will prevent mosquitoes that may carry WNv from breeding around your home.

Residents collecting or handling dead birds should avoid contact with blood, body fluids, or punctures by using protection such as a small shovel, large tongs, or disposable gloves. Place dead birds in a leak-proof plastic bag and once finished remember to wash hands with soap and warm water.

The Health Unit reminds the public that it no longer collects dead birds to be tested for West Nile. For more information on bird collection and submission please contact the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC) at 1-866-673-4781 or visit www.ccwhc.ca.

-30-

For further information, please contact:
Dylan Mahoney or Laura MacMillian-Jones
Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program
Peterborough County-City Health Unit
(705) 743-1000, ext. 340 or 339

June 13, 2013 - Residents Encouraged to Support Tag Day at Local Retailers on June 14

Peterborough union workers will be out in full force this Friday, June 14 encouraging residents to donate to the Dental Treatment Assistance Fund, the Peterborough and District Labour Council’s (PDLC) charity of choice for this year’s Day of Caring.

“We are proud to support a local cause that does so much to transform people’s lives by helping them access urgent dental care,” said Paul Brown, Coordinator, Labour Programs and Services for the PDLC.

Union workers can be found supporting their community on Friday, June 14 at local Beer Store locations and are inviting Peterborough residents to stop by to help support the Dental Treatment Assistance Fund (DTAF).

Across Canada, United Ways and Labour Councils are hosting tag days to support their communities and to highlight local initiatives that presently require funding. The Peterborough Labour Council decided to support the local cause, DTAF, which is administered by the Peterborough County-City Health Unit. It helps hundreds of local adults living on low incomes who do not qualify for government assistance access emergency dental services.

“Public health receives at least 15 calls per week from individuals living on low incomes who are suffering from acute dental pain caused by infection or trauma and we often advise that there is nothing we can do to help because they do not qualify for government assistance programs,” said Dr. Rosana Pellizzari, Medical Officer of Health with the Peterborough County-City Health Unit. “For many, DTAF is their only option.”

Dr. Pellizzari noted that 1 in 5 Ontarians do not visit a dentist because they cannot afford it. DTAF is a key component to the adult community; however the program functions solely on donations. In 2012, a total of 115 people between the ages of 18 and 82 received support from DTAF. The average cost of emergency treatment from the fund was $122 per person.

At the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, the oral health program offers a range of services for eligible children, youth and adults in our community. For more information, visit www.pcchu.ca or call 705-743-1000.

-30-

For further information, please contact:

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

June 13, 2013 - Free Download Provides Youth and Adult Allies with Credible Health Information at Their Fingertips

Today the Peterborough County-City Health Unit launched the new Peterborough Youth Service Provider Information (YSPI) app to help local youth and their adult allies easily access credible health services and information on demand.

“Wallet cards are a thing of the past as more and more young people turn to online sources for their health information,” says Keith Beecroft, Youth Development Worker at the Health Unit. “This new app provides youth with safe and reliable access to credible information, local organizations and services when they want it.”

YSPI is a tool for youth in need of health and social services, and for the adults who work with those youth. The app will help users access a number of community resources, such as finding the closest food bank, local recreation opportunities, and even can provide guidance for personal matters such as teen pregnancy or substance misuse.

The app is easy to navigate with categories and sections aimed for simplicity. “It’s like that spare tire in your trunk, or first aid kit in your back pack – you don’t know when you will need it – but when you do, you’ll be glad you downloaded it,” said Mr. Beecroft.

The app is free and is available to anyone that has access to an iPhone, BlackBerry, Android Smartphone, or tablet, therefore, making it easy for not only young adults to access but also to parents and guardians to retrieve information that relates to youth.

Ready to install? The YSPI App is FREE and available on the three major platforms:

• On Android and Apple devices, search YSPI in your App store, OR
• Use a QR Code scanner to scan the QR Code for your device

For more information about the app, please visit www.pcchu.ca/youthapp.

-30-

For further information, please contact:

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

June 12, 2013 – At this time, it is Health Canada’s view that the benefits of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills continue to outweigh the risks, when used according to Health Canada’s approved labelling instructions. Health Canada has been monitoring the safety of contraceptive pills on an ongoing basis, as it does for all drugs on the market, and is continuing to review the safety of all oral and non-oral hormonal contraceptives, including Yasmin and Yaz. The risk of blood clots with these products is well known, and is included in the drug label. Health Canada has also communicated with healthcare professionals and the public regarding this risk: www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2011/13563a-eng.php
No decision regarding product withdrawal is taken lightly. Health Canada’s approach to drug withdrawal is based on scientific evidence and evaluation of the health risk to the Canadian public. When the benefits associated with a product are determined to no longer outweigh its risks, the decision may be made to withdraw the product from the market.