My child has chicken pox.  When can she go back to school?

The guideline states that for mild cases a child can return to school when well enough to participate in normal activities regardless of the state of the rash.  Siblings may attend school.

It is advised that children with a fever stay at home.  If a child develops a high fever or if new spots continue after the 4th day please contact your physician.

Chicken pox is reportable to your local health unit office.

Please see page 11 of the ‘Common Childhood Infection:  A Guide for Principals, Teachers and Child Care Providers’.

What diseases can I get from unsafe tattooing or piercing?  Does a Public Health Inspector inspect these establishments?

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit conducts inspections of tattoo and piercing studios, although tattooing and piercing is not a regulated profession in Ontario.

This means that standards and licensing does not exist to ensure these individuals are knowledgeable and competent in their profession.

Individuals acquiring these services do so at their own risk. The artist must take it upon his/her self to learn proper and safe procedures.

Call the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to find out if the shop you are considering is an inspected facility, to find out about current investigations, or to register a complaint call 807-625-5918

My mother is in a long-term care facility and an outbreak has been declared.  What does this mean?

An outbreak is a higher than expected number of cases of illness, either respiratory (influenza) or enteric (diarrhea, vomiting etc.), among residents and/or staff and volunteers.

In order for the facility to control the spread of illness to other residents and staff a variety of ‘control measures’ are instituted such as visitor restrictions, no new admissions to the facility, and an increase in infection control (hand hygiene, masks, gloves).  If you have any questions, you are encouraged to call the facility or the Infectious Disease Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

How common is Hepatitis C in Thunder Bay?

Hepatitis C is the second most commonly reported disease in Ontario accounting for 13% of provincially reportable disease.  Many experts believe that only 25% – 50% of those infected are aware that they have Hepatitis C.

The Thunder Bay District has a higher-than-average prevalence of Hepatitis C and may be abut 27% higher than the provincial rate.