Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ Oct. 2, 2024
The Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health held its regular meeting for October 2024 today. The agenda package can be reviewed at hpePublicHealth.ca.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and CEO at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), began his update to the Board by acknowledging the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, 2024. He noted that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to learn and acknowledge the history of residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and systemic racism, while also providing HPEPH with an opportunity to reflect on ongoing work that is required. HPEPH is committed to ongoing reflection and learning to integrate health equity efforts into our work.
Rabies
Dr. Toumishey informed the Board that Ontario’s first domestic case of human rabies since 1967 was confirmed on Sept. 6, 2024, by the Brant County Health Unit. Rabies is a transmittable and deadly disease carried by mammals, such as bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks. It can be transmitted to humans through animal bites or contact of the animal’s saliva with eyes, mouth or an open wound. Bats in particular pose a threat for spreading rabies as their sharp teeth can make it difficult to determine if you have been bitten, as they may not leave a mark. If you are bitten by or come into contact with an animal:
- Immediately and thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. They may recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- Collect the animal owner’s information (name, address and phone number) if possible.
- If you find a bat in a room with a child or adult who cannot give a reliable history of contact with a bat, call your doctor immediately.
- Always report an animal bite or scratching incident to public health.
Learn more at hpePublicHealth.ca/rabies.
Respiratory Vaccine Update
HPEPH Immunization Nurse Patti Swoffer provided an update on respiratory vaccines for the 2024/25 respiratory virus season. Vaccines are a proven and effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness from influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and in doing so, also helps protect the vulnerable, and our health care system.
A new COVID-19 vaccine targeting the latest strains the virus was approved by Health Canada in September. The COVID -19 vaccine, as well as flu vaccines, will be offered to high-risk individuals in early to mid fall, and the general population on Oct. 28. Please contact your health care provider or go to a participating pharmacy for your flu and COVID vaccination. HPEPH will be offering limited vaccination clinics with a focus on children five years and under. Once available, clinic information will be posted at hpePublicHealth.ca/respiratory-vaccines.
The Ontario government is expanding the free RSV program to connect more infants, high-risk children and pregnant individuals to free RSV vaccination. Families with infants and high-risk children up to 24 months, as well as pregnant individuals, will have access to RSV vaccine.
Learn more about vaccines for flu, RSV and COVID-19, including eligibility and availability at hpePublicHealth.ca/respiratory-vaccines.
Epidemiologist Amanda Lau also provided an overview of HPEPH’s new, expanded Respiratory Illness Dashboard. The dashboard provides a consolidated weekly summary of respiratory illnesses activity, including influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory viruses, in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. It will be updated weekly, on Tuesdays, with the exception of holidays.
Healthy Schools Program Update
Program Manager Sheryl Farrar provided a presentation on the HPEPH Healthy Schools Program. The multi-disciplinary Healthy Schools team supports comprehensive school health in secondary and elementary schools, provides information to families at school events, and works with educators to deliver health-related educational programming focused on substance use prevention and other priority school health topics. Public health nurses also provide school-based public health clinics in secondary schools, which provide clinical services to youth including smoking/vaping prevention and cessation, mental health and substance use referrals, health education (dealing with stress, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, technology usage and navigation), and in some schools, sexual health education (birth control, sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment).
Healthy Families Update
Public Health Nurses Ceilah O’Prey and Carol Anne Rutherford provided a presentation on The Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program (HBHC) and the Nurse-Family Partnership Program (NFP). HBHC is a home visiting program intended to optimize newborn and child healthy growth and development and reduce health inequities.
The NFP, started in early 2023, is a free home visiting program for young people (24 or younger) who are pregnant (before 27 weeks gestation) and parenting for the first time, while experiencing financial hardships or with limited resources. The NFP program supports individuals throughout pregnancy and up until their child is two years old. While the HPEPH NFP program is still in its infancy and doesn’t yet have any graduates, preliminary feedback and data highlight the value of this program, along with the HBHC program, within our community.
Learn more at hpePublicHealth.ca/pregnancy.
-30-
For more information contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Communications Team
communications@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.
