The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Marie Louise Lake on September 21, 2024. Marie Louise Lake is located in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, approximately 85 km east of Thunder Bay, on Highway 587.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

TBDHU encourages everyone to protect themselves from seasonal illnesses by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu as soon as they become available to them.

Vaccines are now available to those who are at higher risk of severe illness from an infection, while everyone else becomes eligible on October 28.

Those who are at a higher risk of severe illness includes, but is not limited to:

TBDHU has launched a new secure online form to make providing consent for school-based vaccines easier and more convenient for parents and guardians across Thunder Bay District. The new online form takes minutes to complete, can be viewed on a mobile phone, and is available in English and French.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Poplar Lodge Park, Lake Nipigon, on August 26, 2024. Poplar Lodge Park, Lake Nipigon is located approximately 80 kms north of Nipigon, off Hwy 11.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Kenogamisis Lake on August 15, 2024. Specifically, this sample was taken from Barton Way on the west side of the bridge into Geraldton.

Water should be avoided whenever a blue-green algae bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away.

When BGA is present in water, it is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

-using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

TBDHU have been advised by Norwest CHC (via the Lifeguard App) that multiple people have been admitted to hospital due to the presence of rat poison in turquoise fentanyl being sold in the region.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in a water sample collected at One Island Lake on August 12, 2024. It is important to remember that water should be avoided whenever a blue-green algae bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has dissipated.

Today, the Boards of Health of the Thunder Bay District (TBDHU) and the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) announced that they will not move forward with negotiations to voluntarily merge the two health units.

Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is pleased to announce that the Healthy Kids Health on the Move for Equity (HOME) Program has been named this year’s recipient of the esteemed Lori Chow Memorial Award by Health Promotion Ontario. This prestigious award celebrates exceptional health promotion initiatives that make a meaningful difference in individuals’ lives and enhance overall well-being within Ontario.