With spring upon us and people enjoying the outdoors, Public Health Sudbury & Districts reminds you to protect yourself and your family against tick bites.
Blacklegged ticks, commonly called deer ticks, have been found in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. Infected blacklegged ticks can spread Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. “People enjoying the outdoors need to check for ticks immediately after activities like gardening or hiking. This is one of the simplest ways you can protect yourself from Lyme disease,” said Ashley DeRocchis, an environmental support officer with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. Keep reading
Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is a national event supported by Public Health Sudbury & Districts, working closely with provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector organizations who support activities at the local level. An annual event for over 25 years, Emergency Preparedness Week 2024 is May 5 to 11. Keep reading
The Community Drug Strategies have received reports of an increase in the number of drug poisonings (overdoses) and unexpected reactions from the use of substances in the Sudbury and districts area.
While we cannot confirm the substance(s) causing the overdoses, this situation serves as an important reminder to the community that street drugs may be cut or mixed with substances such as benzos (benzodiazepines), xylazine, fentanyl, or carfentanil. Frontline workers warn that more toxic substances may be circulating locally. Keep reading
The Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts afforded itself a brief pause today to recognize Public Health’s 2023 achievements and service highlights. Spotlighting the accomplishments helped Board members reflect on the ways in which the agency fulfills its community commitments and is locally responsive.
“Public Health’s work happens ‘on the ground’, directly in the communities we serve, working alongside partners and residents that are equally invested in working towards healthier communities for all,” said René Lapierre, Chair of the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “The people we serve count on Public Health to be a stable, dependable resource,” said Lapierre. Keep reading
With the solar eclipse taking place on Monday, April 8, Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reminding everyone that looking directly at the sun without appropriate protection can lead to serious eye injury, including loss of vision. Children may not understand the risks of looking at the eclipse and should be supervised during the entire eclipse. Keep reading
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is pleased to welcome Dr. Mustafa Hirji as Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, effective March 18, 2024.
“Today, Dr. Hirji officially joins Public Health’s dedicated team, bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to his role as our agency’s leader,” said Board of Health Chair, René Lapierre. “In the evolving landscape of public health, it’s essential to have strong and visionary leaders, and we would like to thank Dr. Hirji for accepting and embracing the challenges and responsibilities of this job. The Board of Health is confident that his leadership will further bolster Public Health Sudbury & Districts as an effective, stable, and locally responsive public health agency,” said Lapierre. Keep reading
Public Health Sudbury & Districts (Public Health) is conducting its annual review of immunization records for students attending secondary schools in its service area.
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990 requires all students under the age of 18 to have an up-to-date immunization record or to have a valid immunization exemption to attend school in Ontario. As outlined in the legislation, Public Health must collect and maintain immunization records for students in its service area. Under the ISPA, the Medical Officer of Health can issue suspension orders to students who do not meet the requirements of the ISPA, preventing them from attending school until their records are updated. Keep reading
The Community Drug Strategies have received reports of an increase in the number of drug poisonings (overdoses) and unexpected reactions from the use of substances in the Sudbury and districts area. Keep reading
Today the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts met to consider and vote on a motion to merge with Algoma Public Health (APH). Following careful review and intense deliberations, Board members voted unanimously in favour of developing a joint business case to propose to the Ministry of Health a merger of the two public health agencies. Earlier in the day, however, the Board of Health for APH voted against a merger with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. Keep reading
The Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts welcomed returning Board members at its first meeting of the year on Thursday, January 18, 2024. René Lapierre and Mark Signoretti were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively for 2024. Keep reading
