This rash is itchy-Could I have Scabies?

Girl scratching her hands that have a rash

What are the symptoms? A rash caused by tiny insects called mites that burrow into the skin. The rash is itchy and has small, red, raised spots that appear on the fingers, elbows, armpits and abdomen. The itching is usually worse at night. Follow-up with your health care provider for appropriate diagnosis. How is it spread? Scabies is spread person-to-person … Read More

World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day Logo

WORLD RABIES DAY September 28th is World Rabies Day.  It is an initiative of the Global Alliance on Rabies Control, to bring awareness to rabies, and rabies prevention.  This day also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first vaccine for rabies. What is Rabies? Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus … Read More

Is my well water safe to use and drink?

Image of concrete well

To be sure your well water is safe for you and your family to use, you need to have your water tested. Unlike water from the municipality; your well water is not tested regularly unless you do it yourself. You are responsible for ensuring the quality of water from your well is safe. The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit provides free … Read More

Heat Related Illness

Image of kids playing under a tree

Symptoms of heat-related illness may include: rapid breathing dizziness or fainting vomiting rapid heartbeat extreme thirst and decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine. If anyone has these symptoms, we suggest the following to cool off as soon as possible: move to a shaded or air conditioned area drink plenty of fluids, and rest Contact your health care practitioner, a friend … Read More

Emergency Preparedness on a Budget – Get Started Today!

Preparing for emergencies at the personal and family level can help to reduce negative impacts on you and your family in the event of an emergency.  Sometimes it can be hard to spend money preparing for emergencies that have not happened, when there are so many other things we could be spending it on. There are many things you can … Read More

Emergency Preparedness

Are you prepaid for emergencies? May 7th marks the first day of emergency preparedness week. You can’t always predict an emergency, but you can prepare for one.  Know the risks in your community. Make a plan so you know what to do. Prepare an emergency kit. Know the Risks Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks … Read More

Who Is Testing Your Well Water?

A cute little boy having a drink of water with breakfast

To be sure your well water is safe for you and your family to use, you need to have your water tested. Unlike water from the municipality; your well water is not tested regularly unless you do it yourself. You are responsible for ensuring the quality of water from your well is safe. The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit provides free … Read More

Thorough Cooking

juicy turkey with a probe thermometer in it reading 82 degrees centigrade

Properly cooking and reheating hazardous foods can help kill dangerous germs that can contaminate our food. Thoroughly cooking and reheating foods containing meat is an important step in preventing food borne illness caused by these germs.  Remember the following tips when preparing meals containing meat. Cook any foods containing meat, fish, or poultry (other than whole birds) to 74°C (165°F). … Read More

The Danger Zone

Image of man shopping

  It is important to keep cold food cold and hot food hot so that your food never sits in “the temperature danger zone (4°C – 60°C)”. This is where bacteria that can cause food borne illness can grow quickly. Even cooking these foods thoroughly can’t always kill the dangerous bugs! To avoid dangerous bacterial growth: Refrigerate hazardous foods at or … Read More

Is there a test in your future?

Picture of condoms

These days it seems that everyone is trying to make healthier choices in their lives. We are trying to increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables in our diet, adding daily physical activity and even improving our sleep routines. But what about our sexual health? Did you know that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are continuing to rise, such as chlamydia … Read More

Be Food Safe

Picture of girl shopping for peppers

Handling food safely is super important. The risk of getting sick at home are more common than you think. The four easy lessons of CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK and CHILL can help you prevent harmful bacteria from making your family sick. Bacteria are all around us. While most are harmful (some are even beneficial), others can make you sick. CLEAN Bacteria can spread … Read More

Breathe Easy this Summer

Image of coffee and water on a table

Did you know? Since January 1, 2015, it is illegal to smoke on all restaurant and bar patios, whether covered or not. Did you know? The Smoke-Free Ontario Act prohibits smoking tobacco in all enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places, as well as other designated places in Ontario, to protect workers and the public from the hazards of second-hand smoke. Did … Read More