Uninspected Tattoo Shop Advisory

Uninspected Tattoo Shop Advisory

CK Public Health has become aware of an uninspected tattoo shop and is issuing an advisory notice to individuals who have received services at the following location: Tattoos by Cienna 211 Park Street Chatham ON N7M 3S1 Clients who have received a tattoo service at the above noted location are potentially at risk of contracting a bloodborne infection, including HIV, … Read More

World Rabies Day – One Health, Zero Death

World Rabies Day-September 28-One Health, Zero Deaths

Rabies is a virus that infects warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, bats, racoons, skunks, and foxes. Once in the body, the virus travels through the nervous system to the brain and is spread through the saliva of infectious animals. A bite or scratch from an infectious animal can spread the virus to other animals or people. Rabies is fatal, but … Read More

Blacklegged Ticks are Terrible at Social Distancing!

fingers holding a blade of grass with a blacklegged tick on it

During the pandemic, spending time outdoors can have many benefits.  It can be a great way to find new safe activities, get exercise, and maintain your mental health.  But remember, we have blacklegged ticks in Chatham-Kent, and these ticks can transmit Lyme Disease. Blacklegged ticks, sometimes called deer ticks, are commonly found in wooded and grassy areas. Lyme Disease and … Read More

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus in North Chatham

mosquito

CK Public Health has received laboratory confirmation that mosquitoes collected earlier this week from a trap in North Chatham have tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first positive mosquito trap in Chatham-Kent this season. West Nile Virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms … Read More

Heat Warnings

A half pie shape with three slices. Yello, orange and red with the words stay cool chatham-kent below

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit will be again using the provincial Harmonized Heat Warning and Information System for dealing with heat events in Chatham-Kent. The system provides a consistent approach for processing and issuing heat warnings in Ontario. It also provides evidence-based heat warning triggers which are based on the association between temperature, humidex and mortality. When heat warnings are … Read More

What you need to know about Rabies

dog and cat raising one paw to signal a high five

Here are a few easy ways to protect your family and pets from rabies: Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date. Vaccination of all cats and dogs 3 month of age and older is mandatory in Ontario. Do not feed, handle or come in contact with wild or unfamiliar animals. Teach your children to do so as well. Keep … Read More

Do you have backyard chickens? Did you know they can make you sick?

Senior couple sitting on a bench watching their backyard chicken

Owning backyard chickens is becoming more and more popular. They produce eggs, eat pesky bugs, and make fun pets. So what’s the risk? Chickens often carry germs that can make you sick. Chicken poop can be contaminated with germs like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which cause diarrhea and vomiting. These germs can be on their bodies, in their coops, in their … Read More

Why are there so many chicken nugget recalls?

checken nuggets with dipping sauce

Have you been hearing lots about breaded chicken product recalls and are you beginning to wonder how they can make people sick? You might often think that breaded chicken products like chicken nuggets, strips, and burgers, are fully cooked but that might not be true! You might not handle and cook them safely. It’s important to understand that breaded chicken … Read More

Get ready for the Cold!

Child building a snowman with female adult

When you have to go out into the cold, pay attention to the weather and wear the right clothing. If you wear synthetic or wool, they provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry. Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can take off layers if you get … Read More

When is the Flu Not Really the Flu? When it’s Stomach Flu!

Picture of a sick teen

There is no such thing as ‘stomach flu’. It is a misleading term that doesn’t make much sense when you think about it. Why is that? Well, ‘Flu’ is an abbreviation of ‘Influenza’, a respiratory illness of your upper airways. It is not related to intense, short-term bouts of diarrhea and/or vomiting experienced by your gut. These stomach illnesses are … Read More

Be Spa Safe

Closeup photo of a beautiful female feet with pedicure and hands with manicure

Are you planning a visit to the spa? Ensure your next visit to the spa is a safe one.  Serious infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, skin and nail fungus can be spread at a spa if proper cleaning and disinfection steps are not taken. To protect yourself and reduce your risk of infection: Visit a licensed spa … Read More