Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ September 6, 2023
The Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health held its meeting for September 2023 today. The agenda package can be reviewed here.
HPEPH Labour Disruption
Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, discussed the ongoing strike of HPEPH’s nursing staff, who are represented by the Ontario Nursing Association (ONA). He reiterated that HPEPH nurses are a vital and respected part of the public health team and that HPEPH worked diligently to present a fair offer and avoid a work stoppage. He explained that the current offer is best offer the organization can make within the limitations of its budget and mandate, while protecting jobs and the scope of services that HPEPH provides. HPEPH remains optimistic that ONA will accept the offer presented and full regular service can resume. In addition, Dr. Toumishey advised that the organization continues to remain open to negotiation with staff represented by CUPE. However, as this bargaining unit will be in a legal strike position on September 22, the organization is preparing contingency plans in the event of a CUPE work stoppage. Information about current service disruptions is available at hpePublicHealth.ca.
Respiratory infection update
Dr. Toumishey provided an update on respiratory infections. According to the Surveillance Report from Public Health Ontario, the number of COVID-19 and influenza cases provincially and locally are relatively low at the current time. HPEPH is continuing to monitor recent increasing trends for COVID and anticipates increased respiratory infections as we enter the fall.
HPEPH anticipates that provincial guidance will encourage individuals aged five years and older get their COVID-19 booster and influenza vaccine later this fall, to maximize protection against respiratory illness.
The layers of protection that have helped keep ourselves and others healthy over the past few years continue to be effective:
- Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots.
- Consider wearing a tight-fitting well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection.
- If you are sick, stay home if possible and wear a mask when in public settings.
- Wash your hands often and clean high touch surfaces regularly.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Know if you’re eligible for and how to access COVID-19 treatments.
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health (CGAH) was released earlier this year and replaces the previous low-risk alcohol guidelines from 2011. The new guidance aims to increase public awareness about harms related to alcohol consumption. Awareness of this guidance is important in HPE, as the percentage of binge drinkers in the region is above the provincial average according to the 2019/2020 Canadian Community Health Survey.
Harms related to alcohol include alcohol poisoning, injuries, cancer, and heart disease. Second-hand harms include domestic violence and impaired driving. A key takeaway from the new guidance is that any reduction in alcohol consumption is beneficial for one’s health. The idea that drinking in moderation has any positive health benefits is discouraged. If someone is pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if they are breastfeeding, there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Violence prevention
HPEPH staff have conducted an evidence review of violence prevention. Primary violence prevention was added to the Ontario Public Health Standards in 2018. Exposure to violence can have long-term health implications; it’s been linked to increased risk of substance use, mental health issues, and chronic and infectious diseases.
HPEPH conducted a review of local, provincial, and federal data to understand what strategies have been effective for other health units and assess the state of violence in our region. Research on local statistics shows that in 2022, local police services reported increases in assault calls, sexual assault, and domestic violence investigations. The recommendations from this evidence review will inform the planning process this fall as the Healthy Communities program works with colleagues in other departments to develop strategies to help prevent violence, including teaching healthy relationships skills in childcare and school settings, strengthening supports for women and families, and creating supportive environments.
Emerging tick and mosquito vector-borne diseases
Along with Lyme disease, three more diseases transmitted by infected deer or groundhog ticks have been added to Ontario’s reportable diseases of public health significance: anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. In most cases infected ticks must be attached and feeding for at least 24 hours to transmit a vector-born disease. However, with Powassan virus the tick only needs to be attached for 15 minutes.
Ticks infected with anaplasmosis and Powassan virus have been identified for several years and positive human cases of these diseases have been identified in our region. As of January 1, 2023, post-exposure prophylaxis after a tick bite is available from pharmacists.
As climate change and loss of habitats continue, people may be exposed to several vector-borne diseases when they are outdoors for extended periods of time. It’s important to remember to protect yourselves and your family from ticks and mosquitoes and follow the advice of your physician or pharmacist.
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For more information contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@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.
