FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2005
Dawson Court Joins List of Long-Term Care Homes in Outbreak
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Dawson Court have confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at the long-term care home. This is the third long-term care home to be effected with an influenza outbreak this month.
Tight infection control measures have been put into place. Visitor restrictions have been implemented. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been put on hold.
Family members who are concerned about residents are encouraged to phone the nursing station to pass on messages.
The Health Unit reminds the public not to visit others when they are feeling ill. Those with influenza-like symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches and pains should stay home to avoid the potential spread of disease.
Washing hands frequently as well as staying at home when feeling ill can help to prevent the spread of the virus.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February25, 2005
Influenza A at Versa Care Centre, Thunder Bay
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Versa Care Centre have confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at the long-term care home. A total of 17 people are currently ill, including 13 residents and 4 staff. This is the second long-term care home to be affected with an influenza outbreak this month.
Tight infection control measures have been put into place. Visitor restrictions have been implemented. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been put on hold.
Family members who are concerned about residents are encouraged to phone the nursing station to pass on messages.
The Health Unit reminds the public not to visit others when they are feeling ill. Those with influenza-like symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches and pains should stay home and isolate themselves to avoid the potential spread of disease.
Washing hands frequently as well as staying at home when feeling ill can help to prevent the spread of the virus
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2005
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Pioneer Ridge have confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at the long-term care home.
Tight infection control measures have been put into place. Visitor restrictions have been implemented. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been put on hold.
Family members who are concerned about residents are encouraged to phone the nursing station who will then pass on any messages.
The Health Unit reminds the public not to visit others when they are feeling ill. Those with a fever should stay home and isolate themselves to avoid the potential spread of disease.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2005
Influenza A at Versa Care Centre, Thunder Bay
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Versa Care Centre have confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at the long-term care home. A total of 17 people are currently ill, including 13 residents and 4 staff. This is the second long-term care home to be affected with an influenza outbreak this month.
Tight infection control measures have been put into place. Visitor restrictions have been implemented. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been put on hold.
Family members who are concerned about residents are encouraged to phone the nursing station to pass on messages.
The Health Unit reminds the public not to visit others when they are feeling ill. Those with influenza-like symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches and pains should stay home and isolate themselves to avoid the potential spread of disease.
Washing hands frequently as well as staying at home when feeling ill can help to prevent the spread of the virus
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2005
Influenza Present in Community
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit report a number of laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in the Thunder Bay District.
"The symptoms that we are experiencing now in the community are normal during influenza season," says Ken Allan, Director of Health Protection and Clinical Services at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "However, we remind those with influenza-like symptoms to stay home and isolate themselves to avoid the potential spread of disease."
Influenza is commonly known as the flu. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Anyone can get influenza, but for some people it can be serious or even life threatening.
The symptoms of influenza may include a sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches and pains.
To protect those who may be most severely affected by influenza, the Health Unit reminds the public, especially those who have not received the flu shot, to take precautions during influenza season. A flu shot is the single most effective means of preventing or minimizing the disease. Anyone who is at risk of complications from the flu, or anyone who could spread the disease to someone at risk should be vaccinated.
Flu shots are still available at the Health Unit during the regular Immunization Clinic on Wednesdays from 1:30-6:00 pm.
Washing hands frequently as well as staying at home when feeling ill can help to prevent the spread of the virus.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2005
Well-Known Author/Dietitian to Launch Local Nutrition Month® Events
Well-known dietitian and author Helen Bishop MacDonald will be launching Nutrition Month in Thunder Bay for local dietitians and making herself available to the general public in a free presentation on Tuesday, March 1st.
Ms. Bishop MacDonald has an extremely colourful and diverse career history including being the nutritionist for the Calgary Flames, the '88 Olympics, nutrition columnist for Canadian Living Magazine, lecturer at Mount St. Vincent University and Dalhousie University. She is the author of "Eating for the Health of It" and co-author of "Eat Well, Live Well, Canadian Dietetic Association's Guide to Healthy Eating" (with Marg Howard). Her most recent book is "The Everyday Calcium Cookbook: Calcium-Rich Nutrition for Whole Body Health." She was Director of Nutrition for Dairy Farmers of Canada for 11 years.
Ms. Bishop MacDonald will share her knowledge with Registered Dietitians in Northwestern Ontario in an afternoon workshop on how nutrition science is always evolving. Her goal will be to help dietitians understand how new research on topics from low-carb diets to trans fats applies to their practice and clients.
The general public who are interested in taking a healthy approach to achieving a healthy weight will have a chance to hear her speak at a free evening presentation at 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at the Travelodge Airlane. Registration is not required. The event is free because it is sponsored by a group of local Dietitians.
Ms. Bishop MacDonald is available to do telephone interviews with local media on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25.
Please contact the Health Unit to make arrangements
Local media are invited to cover the presentation,
And arrange for photo opportunity and interview:
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
12:30pm
Airlane Travelodge Hotel
"Fad diets are almost always bound to fail...and in fact will ultimately leave the dieter heavier than when they started. Get-slim-quick-schemes will only lighten your bank account. But, for those people who insist on simplicity, I will present a five-word sure-fire, magic bullet approach to eating healthy," says Helen Bishop MacDonald. "The session on March 1 will cover the pros and cons of low-fat, low-carb, high protein. Plus we'll provide the solution in the optimum diet to have you not just looking good, but being healthy for a very long time."
Canadians are overweight. Weight is a top nutrition concern among Canadians. According to the recently released Chief Medical Officer of Health Report, more than half of Ontario adults (18 years and older) are overweight or obese. Men are more likely to be overweight than women. The report notes that 57% of men, versus 42% of women, are overweight.
"In Northwestern Ontario, we know that 56% of adults are overweight and 20% are classified as obese. Both numbers are higher than provincial and national averages," says Kim McGibbon, Public Health Dietitian at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "And these numbers have been rising steadily, showing no sign of leveling off."
The theme for 2005 is Healthy Weights. March is Nutrition Month® across Canada. This year's nutrition month campaign will promote positive messages and suggestions to achieve healthy eating, active living and feeling good about yourself.
Dietitians will be telling people to "Go the Healthy Way." They believe that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight has a positive impact on overall health and wellness including decreasing your risk of chronic diseases.
"Even a small weight loss has health benefits. Practice healthy eating based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating and don't forget the importance of being active everyday," says Kim McGibbon. "Join us on March 1 to hear what Helen Bishop MacDonald has to say about dieting and nutrition."
To learn more visit www.tbdhu.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2005
Outbreak Continues at Pioneer Ridge
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Pioneer Ridge have confirmed that an outbreak of Influenza A has continued to spread at the long-term care home. A total of nine residents are affected, however, the outbreak is isolated to residents in Plaza 4.
Tight infection control measures have been put in place. Visitor restrictions have been implemented. All admissions, transfers and discharges have been put on hold.
Friends and family members who are concerned about residents are encouraged to phone the nursing station at Pioneer Ridge to pass on messages.
The Health Unit also reports confirmed cases of influenza in the community. To protect those who may be most severely affected by influenza, the Health Unit reminds the public, especially those who have not received their flu shot, to take precautions during influenza season. Flu shots are still available at the Health Unit during the regular Immunization Clinic on Wednesdays from 1:30-6:00 pm.
Washing hands frequently as well as staying at home when feeling ill can help to prevent the spread of the virus. Those with influenza-like symptoms such as a fever and cough should stay home and isolate themselves to avoid the potential spread of disease.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2005
Influenza A at Pioneer Ridge
Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Pioneer Ridge have confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at the long-term care home.
Tight infection control measures have been put into place. Visitor restrictions have been implemented. Admissions, transfers and discharges have been put on hold.
Family members who are concerned about residents are encouraged to phone the nursing station who will then pass on any messages.
The Health Unit reminds the public not to visit others when they are feeling ill. Those with a fever should stay home and isolate themselves to avoid the potential spread of disease.
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