Local Organizations Document Community Response to a Pandemic Influenza

Over the course of one and a half years, several key organizations in the city have met together through five separate committees to document a coordinated community response in the event of a pandemic emergency. The result is the "Thunder Bay and Area Pandemic Influenza Plan". This plan addresses the need for connectivity between the different jurisdictions and levels of government.

On September 28 & 29, Thunder Bay District Health Unit is hosting a workshop to bring together the various groups and district representatives to share information about the development of the plan as a whole and discuss how this plan fits into existing provincial and regional strategies. Conference participants have an opportunity to review the process and challenges which took place during the development of the plan.

"When an emergency such as this descends on a community, that is not the time to ask questions about who we should call and what the role of an organization is," says Ken Allan, Director of Health Protection and Clinical Services at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "This plan proactively outlines the various roles of the many agencies who would be involved. It represents one and a half years of community collaboration

Steering committee participants include the Health Unit, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph's Care Group, City of Thunder Bay, Emergency Measures Organizations, Emergency Medical Services, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Community Care Access Centre, Public Health Lab, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Ontario Medical Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the Coroner's Office and the local Branch of the Canadian Red Cross.

The plan will be continually adapted as the local and global situation demands. The most current version will be available at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit website www.tbdhu.com .

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2005

Autumn Hikers and Hunters Cautioned about Wildlife Encounters

As the fall leaves bring hikers and hunters into the local wooded areas, officials at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit would like to remind residents to avoid contact with wild animals and to report animal bites or scratches to their doctor or animal control.

Since Jan 2005, the Health Unit has investigated 317 biting or skin breaking incidents between humans and animals and offered rabies treatment to thirteen people after their risk for rabies exposure had been assessed. The last confirmed case of animal rabies was a bat brought in during October 2004. Treatment was provided to one individual at that time.

As part of the public health mandate to follow-up on possible exposure to rabies, public health staff receive reports of bites and any animal encounter, especially wild animals, that breaks the skin. If it is determined that an animal bite victim has been potentially exposed to rabies that individual is treated with a series of vaccinations that can stop the progress of the disease.

In North America, wildlife rabies most commonly involves skunks, raccoons, and bats. Because wild animals cannot be retrieved to be tested, in Canada, public health officials are directed to provide treatment for any wild animal bites and any close bat encounter. This can include anyone waking up from sleep with a bat flying around their room; because bat bites, which are often painless, can be too small to be noticed. Other wild animal encounters are treated on a case by case basis.

Rabies is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. Rabies is distributed worldwide in various mammals. Rabies virus is spread from one animal to another or from an animal to a human, through close contact with saliva of an infected animal i.e., bites, scratches, licks on broken skin.
Without immediate treatment, it is rare for humans to survive rabies.

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Self Expression vs Severe Infection?

In response to the growth of the 'body modification' culture, more shops to perform these services have been opening up in the city and district of Thunder Bay. Four tattoo and one piercing shop were joined by three new combined tattoo and piercing shops in 2004. In the district, one new tattoo shop was added to the three previously existing.

The health unit works closely with the operators of these inspected tattoo and piercing establishments to reduce the incidence of infections and to educate the public. There is also a common goal to reduce the improper use of equipment (such as piercing guns) throughout the district.

Tattooing and piercing involves breaking of the skin, which usually protects the body from being infected by bacteria or viruses. Infections may occur through the use of a contaminated needle or by bacteria entering the body through the break in the skin. Improper piercing and tattooing infection control techniques have lead to infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, warts, herpes, toxic shock syndrome, skin tuberculosis, and other bacterial skin infections. In addition, the improper use of equipment can lead to permanent scarring.

Health unit inspectors are concerned that persons may be attending other un-inspected home-based facilities. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is launching an awareness campaign to educate people that risks can be greatly reduced by attending an inspected facility.

"We urge individuals in the district of Thunder Bay to make educated decisions. Contact the health unit to confirm the establishment is inspected. Talk with the practitioner to ensure they are knowledgeable about current infection control procedures," says Amy Montgomery, Public Health Inspector in the Infectious Disease Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "Never get a home tattoo or piercing. Never share or reuse needles. Always take care of the body mod as recommended by the practitioner. If you fail to follow the aftercare instructions or wash your hands the risk of infection increases significantly. It's simple. Ask questions and be informed."

Transit shelters, posters, pamphlets and web information will help potential body modifiers to ask the right questions before they do the deed and ensure that they understand the value of good aftercare.

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Playground Equipment Should be Checked for Spider Webs

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit will be advising all owners and operators of playgrounds and playground structures to include visual checks for the presence of spider webs during normal safety inspections. Should a web be found, physical removal of the web should take place to limit spider contact with young children.

They are advising that homeowners who have play structures in their yards do the same.

"We've recently conducted an investigation in response to a local resident concern. As a health unit, we agree that spider webs could be added to the list of items that shouldn't be found on playground structures," says Tony Pacifico, Manager of Environmental Health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "Limiting the exposure of small children to potential spider bites is the goal."

Safety concerns on any playground equipment whether public or private can be visually caught by parents before their children play:

" Check the surfacing of the playground. It should have a deep, soft surface. Dirt and grass surface is not appropriate. Possible surfacing includes: soft rubber mats, lots of sand, pea gravel, or wood chips. If your child falls, the surfacing will help absorb the shock. To Test the Surfacing: dig your heel into the surface, it should be at least 15 cm (or 6 inches) deep
" Give handrails, barriers and railings a wiggle to check if they are loose!
" Watch for spaces in the equipment that are larger than 9 cm (3 ½ inches) and smaller than 22.5 cm (9 inches). These spaces can trap your child's head or neck.
" Look for broken glass, garbage, sharp edges, and bolts that can stick out
" Ensure the removal of rodent & stinging insect nests or spider webs

For a complete checklist for your playground visit, click on:
http://www.tbdhu.com/inspection/PlaygroundSafetyBrochure.pdf

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