FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2005

Bean Sprout Update

After careful review of a distribution list provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit have determined that bean sprouts in our area do not originate from the Toronto-based manufacturer that is linked to a widespread outbreak of salmonella.

On Friday, the Health Unit advised consumers not to consume bean sprouts until further information became available. Consumers are reminded that all produce should always be washed thoroughly before cooking or serving.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2005

Salmonella Outbreak Investigation

Officials at the Thunder Bay District Health are advising the public not to consume bean sprouts until further information becomes available. The local Public Health Unit is following a widespread outbreak of salmonella that is linked to both grocery stores and restaurants in Eastern Ontario.

At this time, the Health Unit cannot confirm whether the suspected products made their way to our retail area. An extensive distribution list is being generated and further information will follow.

Salmonella can cause serious illness, and in very rare cases death, for the very young, elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, headache, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms occur 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food or water.

If an individual is experiencing symptoms of salmonella poisoning, they should contact their physician or go to a walk in clinic.

Salmonella can spread from person-to-person. If an infected individual has diarrhea and is preparing food for others, caring for young children, elderly or sick people, meticulous hand washing is important to further prevent the spread of illness.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2005

2006 Health Unit Budget Set

At its November meeting, the Thunder Bay District Board of Health approved its 2006 budget.  Municipal levies will not be affected because of an anticipated shift in the funding formula that will see the province carrying 65% of the cost-shared budget. 

The cost-shared budget was approved at $12, 456,411 to meet the Provincial plan to build capacity into Public Health.

Operation Health Protection is a provincial action plan created in June of 2004 in response to “lessons from Ontario ’s experience with Walkerton, West Nile virus and SARS.”  The plan includes a graduated increase in the provincial share of funding local health units from a level of 50% in 2004, to 75% in 2007.

“This budget positions the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to balance the need to renew the local public health system with the desire to minimize financial risk to the municipalities,” points out Connie Bryson, Chair of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health.

Capacity building is taking place within a variety of programming areas. Enhancements to carry out legislated activity in Health Hazard Investigation, the Sexual Health Clinic, Safe Water, Rabies, Infectious Disease and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including HIV/AIDS, will take place.  In addition, the budget will provide for increased emphasis on Healthy Weights, Tobacco Control, Raising Healthy Children, Empowering Youth and Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Prevention. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2005

NicoTEEN Workshop Addresses Student’s Fears

Some new features await the 60 grade 6-8 students representing 12 city and area schools who will be participating in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s NicoTEEN workshop. In response to concerns voiced by students last year, Dr. Scott Sellick, C.Psych., Director of Supportive Care at TBRHSC will address the students’ fears in relation to the tobacco habits of the adults that they love.

“In past workshops, many students often expressed their concern about a parent who smoked,” says Susan Trevisan, Public Health Nurse from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “They have legitimate fears and often ask for specific ways that they can help.”

Dr. Sellick will briefly address these concerns and open the floor for the students to direct the discussion and have their questions answered.

The NicoTEEN workshop provides training to select students from grade 6-8 within a school. The workshop has been offered to city schools for the past three years. The students can then go back into their school to pass on information to their peers.

Bishop E.Q. Jennings has participated every year. Peer leaders from Bishop Gallagher provided the workshop to several elementary schools in addition to their own school after last year’s workshop.

Once the workshop is done in the city of Thunder Bay, Health Unit staff will be taking a scaled-down version on the road to schools in the district. Three presentations are planned for Manitouwadge, Greenstone and Nipigon/Red Rock in the coming year.

The annual workshop is made possible with the cooperation of several Health Unit programs including Dental, Environmental Health, Family Health, and the Tobacco Control Unit at the Health Unit. Community partners involve The Lung Association, The Canadian Cancer Society and The Quit Coach from The Nicotine Dependence Center.