Situation Northwestern Health Unit has received notice of drug alerts being issued across Ontario and neighbouring provinces in the last several weeks that report increased drug poisonings caused by fentanyl cut with benzodiazepines, xylazine, and caffeine. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and xylazine all have sedative effects. Combining any of these drugs increases Read more…
Situation As part of our fall active tick surveillance, Powassan virus was detected in 6 black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) collected in the Fort Frances area. A cluster of 6 positive ticks in the same area indicates conditions for the virus to live and spread among tick populations may be occurring. Read more…
Situation Northwestern Health Unit has been seeing an increase in invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (iGAS) cases in our region recently, with spikes in the past few months. The majority of cases have been identified in the Sioux Lookout (including Northern First Nations) and Kenora areas, but cases are occurring Read more…
Situation Northwestern Health Unit is aware that Aqua Fentanyl has been linked to multiple overdoses in Thunder Bay. The Aqua Fentanyl was related to the use of both Fentanyl (opioid) and Benzodiazepines (not an opioid). When someone uses an opioid, with or without knowing, they can overdose. Overdose symptoms What Read more…
Situation Northwestern Health Unit is aware that Fentanyl has been found in Crack Cocaine in the Dryden area. Crack cocaine and Fentanyl are 2 different classes of drugs. People who use crack do not always use Fentanyl or opioids at the same time. When someone uses an opioid, especially without Read more…
Situation A small number of clients accessing safer drug use supplies at the Northwestern Health Unit in Fort Frances have reported concerns that the local drug supply may be contaminated with rat poison. We do not know the accuracy of the information, nor do we know the specifics. However, rat Read more…
Situation Manitoba Health has declared a pertussis outbreak in the region of Southern Health-Santé Sud. Between January to June 23, 2023, 152 of 154 confirmed or probable cases reported to Manitoba Health have been from the Southern Health-Santé Sud region. Most cases (110/152) are in children aged zero to nine. Read more…
Situation On July 1, 2023, the Mandatory Blood Testing Act (MBTA) will be updated. With this update, any previous versions of forms relating to MBTA will need to be replaced with new forms. The use of old forms will result in delays and problems with proceeding with the action under Read more…
Situation Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) notes that the number of suspected drug-related deaths in the last three weeks is higher than normal. These suspected drug-related deaths are not necessarily opioid related. Our confirmed opioid overdose emergency room visit data has not indicated a spike. Issue There may be increased toxicity Read more…
Situation Northwestern Health Unit has been notified that Xylazine has been found locally in the unregulated drug supply. Xylazine is not approved for human use and is typically used by veterinarians for pain relief, sedation, and muscle relaxation of large animals (referred to as horse tranquilizer). Issue Xylazine can lead Read more…