December

Quit & Get Fit
Release Date: December 21, 2011
The Ontario Lung Association has partnered with The Velocity Sports Performance & Fitness in Owen Sound to offer members and non-members the opportunity, at no charge, to take part in a Quit & Get Fit program. Participants receive a free gym membership and 16 free personal training sessions that combine smoking cessation support with fitness and health information. In return for the 16 free personal training sessions, participants will be asked to complete five confidential on-line surveys to help evaluate the program.

Holiday Visits – Stay home if you are sick
Release Date: December 20, 2011
Over the holidays, many people will be visiting loved ones in hospitals, nursing homes and retirement homes. Please, stay home if you’re sick! Don’t visit and bring an illness into the hospital, nursing home or retirement home. Your sickness can be life threatening to others. It is not just the person you are visiting but everyone in the facility, staff and residents, are put at risk.

Youth Identify Travel Assets and Barriers
Release Date: December 20, 2011
The Youth Moving Safely with Active Transportation project addresses health concerns facing Grey Bruce youth. Issues include high rates of motor vehicle collisions, physical inactivity, pedestrian and cyclist safety and access to recreation and leisure.

‘Tis the Season for Dog Bites
Release Date: December 19, 2011
The Grey Bruce Veterinary Association and the Grey Bruce Health Unit are reminding pet owners of the need for extra vigilance in controlling their dogs (and cats) during the holiday season.

2011 Nutritious Food Basket - Is there enough money for healthy food?
Release Date: December 16, 2011
Not everyone in Grey Bruce can afford basic healthy food. Results of the 2011 Nutritious Food Basket survey show that a limited income is a recipe for hunger. Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn, is very concerned that it is becoming increasingly difficult for many families in Grey Bruce to have regular and continued access to healthy food choices.

The Shortest Day of PLAY Countywide Challenge - Helping communities get more active!
Release Date: December 19, 2011
We are trapped in an environment that actually encourages obesity. The result – approximately three out of every five Grey Bruce residents are overweight or obese. The PLAY in Bruce Grey physical activity strategy is out to change that.

Community Flu Vaccine Clinics
Release Date: December 1, 2011
More than four thousand people received the seasonal influenza vaccine at one of 15 Public Health Flu Vaccine Clinics across Grey Bruce in the past month.

November

Norovirus-like illness in the community
Release Date: November 30, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is aware of several facilities reporting an increased number of people with Norovirus-like symptoms.

Walkerton satellite office moves to appointment only service
Release Date: November 30, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit would like to inform all community partners and the public that the Walkerton satellite office, located in the Bruce County building in Walkerton will continue to provide appointment based services, such as the vaccine clinic, sexual health clinic and post partum services; daily walk-in counter service has ended.

Flu Clinics Meaford, Chesley and Dundalk
Release Date: November 25, 2011
Over 660 people attended flu clinics this week in Meaford (298), Chesley (257) and Dundalk (109). So far this influenza season, Public Health has hosted 14 influenza clinics immunizing over 4,060 Grey and Bruce citizens against the flu.

Be Careful! – Keep Grey Bruce Safe from Unintentional Injuries
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Today, the Grey Bruce Health Unit releases the report Unintentional Injuries in Grey Bruce: 2000-2009. The report offers an in-depth look at unintentional injuries in our area—from emergency room visits to hospitalizations and deaths.

Board Ratifies Agreement with ONA Local 004
Release Date: November 18, 2011
The Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit is pleased to announce ratification of an agreement reached in recent contract negotiations with the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) Local 004, representing Registered Nurses and Public Health Nurses.

Flu Clinics in Markdale and Kincardine
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Over 500 people attended Public Health flu vaccine clinics this week in Markdale (197) and Kincardine (306). The totals are similar to last year.

Agreement with ONA Local 004 and Grey Bruce Health Unit
Release Date: November 16, 2011
The Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit is pleased to announce a tentative agreement has been reached in contract negotiations with the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) Local 004, representing Registered Nurses and Public Health Nurses.

Flu Clinics in Owen Sound, Lion’s Head & Walkerton
Release Date: November 10, 2011
Over one thousand people attended flu clinics in Owen Sound (701), Lion’s Head (104) and Walkerton (229) this week. Attendance at flu clinics is on par with last year.

Quit Exchange Helps Tobacco Users and Friends Work Together on Quitting
Release Date: November 9, 2011
A new Facebook application Quit Exchange encourages someone ready to quit smoking to challenge a friend to support them by offering up something in a “quit exchange.”

Do you want to quit smoking?
Release Date: November 7, 2011
For many smokers, the cost of nicotine replacement products is a barrier to quitting. The STOP Program provides participants five weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy to help them to stop smoking.

Flu Clinics in Hanover, Port Elgin & Lucknow
Release Date: November 4, 2011
Over 600 people attended flu clinics this week in Hanover (257), Port Elgin (199) and Lucknow (149). Numbers are similar to last year’s attendance.

October

Durham & Owen Sound Flu Clinics
Release Date: October 31, 2011
Six hundred eighty-four people attended recent Public Health community flu vaccine clinics held last week in Durham and Owen Sound. Last year, 821 people came out to the same clinics.

STOP Program: Support for smokers who wish to quit
Release Date: October 17, 2011
Smokers from across Grey Bruce have the opportunity to enrol in the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Program and receive nicotine replacement therapy free of charge to help them to quit smoking.

Flu immunizations reduce illness and death in Grey Bruce
Release Date: October 14, 2011
Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program is saving lives here in Grey Bruce. Since the introduction of the program in 2000, there has been a significant decline in illness and death due to influenza and pneumonia both locally and province-wide.

September

Ontarians Warned Not To Eat Food Product Contaminated With Listeria
Release Date: September 30, 2011
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Arlene King, and Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, are warning Ontarians not to consume the following brand of smoked salmon because it may be contaminated with Listeria.

The Culture of Alcohol in Grey Bruce
Release Date: September 30, 2011
Most people drink responsibly but it is not commonly recognized that the top 10 per cent of drinkers consume more than half of the alcohol; the top 20 per cent of drinkers consume over 70 per cent of the alcohol. These rates are self-reported and likely underestimate the true concentration of drinking.

WORLD RABIES DAY – September 28, 2011
Release Date: September 27, 2011
The Grey Bruce Veterinary Association and the Grey Bruce Health Unit acknowledge World Rabies Day, September 28, 2011.

Dog in Biting Incident Identified
Release Date: September 16, 2011
An appeal for assistance has been successful to identify a dog in a biting incident earlier this week in Kincardine.

Public Assistance Request
Release Date: September 16, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding the owner of a dog involved in a biting incident in Kincardine.

Public Assistance Request
Release Date: September 6, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding the owner of two dogs involved in a biting incident in Walkerton.

Bayshore and Kelso Beach Posted Unsafe for Bathing
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Due to the heavy rains today, a sewage by-pass occurred from the Owen Sound waste water system.

August

Kelso Beach Posting Lifted
Release Date: August 31, 2011
Results from beach water sampling earlier this week show bacteria levels at Kelso Beach, Owen Sound, are within safe levels. The posting from July 29 has been lifted.

Public Assistance Request
Release Date: August 17, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding the owner of a cat involved in a biting incident in Hepworth.

New and Expanded Vaccine Program Starts
Release Date: August 10, 2011
Beginning August 8, 2011, Ontario expanded its publicly funded immunization schedule to provide better protection to infants and children from serious infectious diseases.

Kelso Beach Remains Posted Unsafe for Bathing; Bayshore Beach Posting Lifted
Release Date: August 5, 2011
Results from beach water sampling earlier this week show bacteria levels at Kelso Beach, Owen Sound, are above safe bathing levels. The beach posting will remain. Sampling also show bacteria levels at Bayshore Beach, Owen Sound, are within safe levels. The posting from July 29 has been lifted.

2011 Public Assistance Request
Release Date: August 2, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding the owner of a dog involved in a biting incident. On Saturday, July 30, 2011 sometime between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., a woman was bitten by a large collie or collie-like dog (described as “looked like Lassie”) in front of Errinrung Residence Retirement Home on Bruce Street South, Thornbury, Ontario. The dog was being walked at the time of the incident.

July

Bayshore and Kelso Beach Posted Unsafe for Bathing
Release Date: July 29, 2011
Due to the heavy rains last night, a sewage by-pass occurred from the Owen Sound waste water system.  As a precaution both Kelso and Bayshore beaches have been posted unsafe for bathing.

Barbeque Food Safety
Release Date: July 28, 2011
Summer is prime barbeque season! Recent cases of food-borne illness prompts a reminder to those who enjoy meals cooked on the barbeque to avoid illness caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella or Campylobacter.

World Hepatitis Day - July 28
Release Date: July 27, 2011
The World Health Organization marks July 28 as the first official World Hepatitis Day. In Canada, an estimated 600,000 people have viral hepatitis, also called Hep; 250,000 have hepatitis C, the leading cause of liver transplants.

Don’t Let the Bugs Bite!
Release Date: July 21, 2011
The warm weather brings mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects. A little bit of preparation will make sure bug bites don’t sideline your summer activities.

Heat Alert (Correction)
Release Date: July 19, 2011
In anticipation of very high temperature and humidity levels this week, Public Health alerts people to take care against heat related illness.

STOP Program: An Opportunity for Ontario Smokers
Release Date: July 18, 2011
Smokers from across Ontario have the opportunity to enrol in the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Program and receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), free of charge to help them in their attempt to quit smoking.

Lion’s Head Community Challenge featured on CBC website
Release Date: July 13, 2011
Inspired by the CBC’s television program Village on a Diet, residents in Lion’s Head decided to try and live it themselves. That effort is featured on the CBC’s LiveRightNow website.

2011 Public Assistance Request
Release Date: July 04, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding the owner of a dog involved in the biting incident described below. On Thursday June 30, 2011 at approximately 10:30 am, a woman was bitten by a chocolate lab she attempted to pet through the window of a black quad cab Ford pick-up truck at the gas pumps of the Shell gas station in Markdale, Ontario.

June

2011 Beach Management Program
Release Date: June 29, 2011
For the 2011 swimming season, the Grey Bruce Health Unit is taking an approach to Beach Management that gives beach users the resources to make an informed choice.  Posting a beach doesn’t tell you the whole story. In fact, a beach posting is at best a day old. Conditions can change dramatically, meaning that posting based on sample results alone can be inaccurate.

Adult rating on movies showing smoking
Release Date: June 27, 2011
The Ontario Film Review Board says they will work with the group asking for an 18A (adult) rating for movies and video games that depict smoking.  Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce, was part of a delegation that met Friday, June 24, with the full membership of the Ontario Film Review Board to discuss rating films that show smoking or tobacco products.

High bacterial contamination in three area beaches
Release Date: June 24, 2011
Beach water sampling has identified significant levels of bacterial contamination at Sauble Beach, South Bruce Peninsula, Lion’s Head Beach, Northern Bruce Peninsula, and Bayshore Beach in Owen Sound. These results are consistent with the significant rainfall over the last few days. The levels are well in excess of Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care standards.

Longest Day of PLAY
Release Date: June 24, 2011
More than 3,000 Grey Bruce residents logged 19,111 hours of play during the Longest Day of PLAY, June 21. Fourteen municipalities across Grey Bruce took part in the first Longest Day of PLAY challenge to encourage Grey Bruce residents to get more active.

Measles is Back in Canada
Release Date: June 20, 2011
Measles is back! Thought to be almost eradicated in North America, the virus has once again reared its ugly head. An increase in measles is being experienced world-wide, including more than 250 cases in Quebec. Eleven confirmed cases of measles in Ontario this year is higher than expected...

Ontario Coalition for Smoke Free Movies
Release Date: June 15, 2011
Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce, meets later this month with the Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB) in discussions to keep smoking out of youth rated films.

Longest Day of PLAY
Release Date: June 14, 2011
Municipalities across Grey Bruce are gearing up for June 21 and the first Longest Day of PLAY. This event not only marks the first day of summer and the longest day of the year but the Longest Day of PLAY offers a challenge to encourage Grey Bruce residents to get more active. Prizes will be awarded

Rabid Cow Identified
Release Date: June 10, 2011
Test results received June 9, 2011, confirm rabies in a cow found in the area encompassed by Springmount, Jackson and Kilsyth.

Hard to Spell, Easy to Catch, Get Tested!
Release Date: June 6, 2011
What is hard to spell but easy to catch? Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that continues to be on the rise in Grey Bruce. Public Health is launching an awareness campaign, Hard to Spell, Easy to Catch, Get Tested, encouraging sexually active men and women of all ages to get tested.

May

Public Assistance Request
Release Date: May 27, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is seeking assistance from the public in finding the owner of two dogs involved in a biting incident that occurred north of Nodwell Park on the Woodland Trail in Port Elgin.

Warning About Fraudulent Inspectors
Release Date: May 27, 2011
The Grey Bruce Health Unit would like to warn local business operators of an ongoing scam involving individuals fraudulently posing as Public Health Inspectors or other ministry inspectors. They are calling and visiting local businesses wanting to take drinking water samples.

Longest Day of PLAY
Release Date: May 25, 2011
The PLAY in Bruce Grey physical activity project is pleased to announce the first Longest Day of PLAY on June 21, 2011. This event marks the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

Driving Crimes Continue in Grey and Bruce
Release Date: May 19, 2011
Consumption of alcohol while driving or in a moving vehicle is not only against the law but is also unsafe. Yes, alcohol is an accepted part of our community culture. However, the harms that can be created by the abuse of alcohol use are often overlooked.

Hepatitis C – You may not know if you are infected!
Release Date: May 16, 2011
“Because my good health is important to me, I wanted to give treatment my best shot.” For Barb Hopkins, it was a work-related needle stick injury that exposed her to the Hepatitis C virus. Barb was one of the 80 per cent of exposed persons that do not get rid of the virus and go on to develop chronic infection.

Tetanus: Are you at risk?
Release Date: May 12, 2011
Advice to get your tetanus shot if you step on a rusty nail is well known. But in fact, many everyday activities such as gardening, doing repairs and renovations, cleaning up around the yard or home and cuts or scratches can all pose risk of tetanus.

April

Test Your Well Water
Release Date: April 29, 2011
Recent snow melt, heavy rains, high groundwater and flooding makes it the perfect time to test your well water. These conditions challenge your well and drinking water system making it more likely that you will find problems that may not be obvious at other times of the year.

STOP! Clean Your Hands Day – May 5, 2011
Release Date: April 27, 2011
The second national, STOP! Clean Your Hands Day takes place Thursday, May 5. Hospitals, long-term care homes, family health teams and childcare workers join with Public Health to recognize the importance of hand hygiene in decreasing infectious diseases.

Celebrate National Immunization Awareness Week - April 23-30, 2011
Release Date: April 20, 2011
Childhood immunization rates in Grey Bruce are among the highest in the province. We celebrate this success during National Immunization Awareness Week – April 23-30, and thank those who play a part.

Dog in Biting Incident Identified
Release Date: April 20, 2011
An appeal for assistance has been successful to identify a dog in a biting incident last week in Owen Sound.

Pause to PLAY by Turning Off The Screens
Release Date: April 11, 2011
It’s time again for children and families to participate in the Turn Off The Screens challenge. The 9^th annual event runs from April 25 to May 1. During this week students do their best to get off the couch and get active by turning off the television, video games and computer.

Children 17 and under and no dental coverage - Public Health can help!
Release Date: April, 5, 2011
Free dental services are available for children 17 and under in families with no dental coverage and when the costs pose a financial hardship. With April being Oral Health Month, the Grey Bruce Health Unit is launching a campaign to let parents and caregivers know about the free dental services available for children through Public Health.  

Positive Rabid Bat
Release Date: April 1, 2011
Test results received March 31, 2011, confirm rabies in a bat found in the Walkerton area, Municipality of Brockton. No human involvement has been associated with this animal. This is the first rabid animal report in Grey Bruce for 2011.

March

Grey Bruce Launches Meth Watch
Release Date: March 21, 2011
The Grey Bruce Crystal Meth Task Force is launching a Meth Watch program in support of its goal to stem the use and production of crystal meth in Grey and Bruce Counties. Meth Watch is a community partnership that aims to limit the theft and suspicious sale of products used in the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine.

World Stop TB Day - March 24, 2011
Release Date: March 24, 2011
When is the last time you heard the word tuberculosis, (TB)? You’re not alone if you think TB is a disease of the past. If Public Health contacted you to tell you that you had been exposed to a case of active TB, maybe on the air flight you took a couple months ago, how would you feel?

February

Tips to help a relative quit smoking for Family Day
Release Date: February 18, 2011
Driven to Quit Challenge offers prize incentive
Family Day, February 21, reminds us of how much we value our loved ones. We all wish good health for our relatives and quitting smoking is one the best things someone can do to improve their health. The Grey Bruce Health Unit offers some ideas to support a family member who may be thinking of quitting:

Low Flu Vaccine Rates for Health Care Workers Contributing to Outbreaks
Release Date: February 16, 2011
 “The number of health care workers getting vaccinated against the flu has dropped at an alarming rate,” says Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce. “This is a serious situation in which all health care workers need to be responsible to their professional ethics to do no harm.”

Secondary School Immunization Clinics Underway
Release Date: February 4, 2011
Beginning next week, Public Health Nurses will be in all secondary schools across Grey Bruce to provide immunizations to students that require a 10 year tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) booster. In addition, nurses will offer polio, measles, mumps and rubella, and meningococcal immunizations to those students requiring the vaccines.

January

In the Nic-O-Time Challenge
Release Date: January 31, 2011
 “Wanna Quit? … Wanna cut back? …  Don’t wanna start?”  These are questions put to students with the first ever In the Nic-O-Time Challenge.

Industrial Wind Turbine Report
Release Date: January 21, 2011
The Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit wants the government of Ontario to undertake studies into the issues identified by Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn, in her report reviewing potential avenues of investigation into the effects of Industrial Wind Turbines.

Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy Through Family Health Teams
Release Date: January 20, 2011
Ontario is addressing tobacco-related disease by expanding services to help smokers quit.

It is not too late to get your flu shot!
Release Date: January 13, 2011
In response to increasing pressures on critical care units across the province, Grey Bruce Health Unit is reminding residents to get their flu shot. The surges in critical care volumes are not specific to any one type of patient. However, influenza has been a contributing factor in the Greater Toronto Area.

Moving ON Forum: Help Shape a More Walkable Community
Release Date: January 6, 2011
We are trapped in surroundings that actually encourages obesity. The car culture in Grey Bruce encourages us to drive everywhere. Pedestrians are a rare species, often in peril. Walking is usually low on the priority list for transportation planning, if considered at all. The result – approximately three out of every five Grey Bruce residents are overweight or obese.

National Non-Smoking Week – There are hundreds of reasons to quit…what’s yours?
Release Date: January 5, 2011
“There are hundreds of reasons to quit... what’s yours?” is the theme for Canada’s National Non-Smoking Week, January 16 to 22, 2011.

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