Media Releases

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is proud to share that local public health leaders have been recognized provincially. Their Board of Health Chair, Doug Lawrance has been awarded the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa). Additionally, Trudy Sachowski has been elected as Chair of Read more…

Following yesterday’s media release from Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) regarding a possible case of measles in Sioux Lookout, laboratory test results have confirmed that this was NOT measles. NWHU advises that anyone who was isolating or monitoring after exposure, can discontinue these measures. Those due for a measles vaccine can Read more…

Updated – laboratory test results have confirmed that this was NOT measles. Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is investigating a probable case of measles in an infant in the Sioux Lookout area. A probable case is someone with signs and symptoms of measles, with travel to an area of known measles Read more…

With the warmer weather upon us and many residents and visitors enjoying more time outdoors, the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) would like to encourage you to take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne disease. Ticks are very small and hard to see. In northwestern Read more…

Kenora area OPP report that drug overdoses in the region remain higher than usual, and syndromic surveillance shows that Lake of the Woods Hospital’s Emergency Room continues to see an increase in visits related to drug overdose. Northwestern Health Unit had alerted the public on April 22nd about a noted increase Read more…

Northwestern Health Unit has been notified of multiple opioid poisoning (overdose) events witnessed over the weekend. The reports came from the Kenora area but indicated incidents of poisoning had happened in Dryden as well. Harm reduction clients in Dryden are noting an unusual pattern of extreme drowsiness among users of Read more…

Today, the Boards of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) and Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) announced that they will not move forward with a business case for a voluntary merger of the two health units under the Province’s Strengthening Public Health Strategy. In August 2023, the Ministry Read more…

From April 8-12, 2024, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) proudly joins the nation in celebrating Canadian Public Health Week, an occasion to recognize the important contributions of public health. The impact of public health interventions is remarkable. Recent analysis from the Canadian Public Health Agency emphasizes the substantial return on investment, Read more…

Household food insecurity is a growing reality for northwestern Ontario residents, now affecting more than 1 in 5 households across the region. According to a food costing survey conducted by the Northwestern Health Unit in 2023, the average cost to feed a family of four is $326.17 per week or Read more…

On April 8th, 2024, residents of northwestern Ontario will experience a partial solar eclipse and watching the event without special eye protection can do serious damage to your vision. From approximately 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST people in the northwest will see the moon block a portion of the Read more…