Situation Prior to 2021 the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) incidence rate for the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) catchment area had generally been lower than that of the province of Ontario; 4.1 per 100,000 in NWHU (2013-2021) compared to 5-6 per 100,000 in Ontario (2012-2022). NWHU incidence rates for 2022 and Read more…
Situation Syphilis has surged throughout the world including North America and Canada over the past several years, and the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) area is included in that trend. Increased testing and prompt access to treatment are crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality related to syphilis. Of particular concern is the increase Read more…
Situation Measles is on the rise globally, with an increase in cases being reported in Ontario and elsewhere in the world. The increases are largely due to the importation of measles by international travelers and the disruptions in immunization delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the increased number Read more…
Situation Several youths at a high school in Kenora received tattoos from an unlicensed tattoo artist within the school. Best practices for preventing transmission of blood-borne infections were not followed, and there is the risk of transmission of blood-borne infection. Individuals are being directed to seek assessment by their primary Read more…
Situation On January 11, 2024, Manitoba Public Health reported an increase in secondary bacterial infections associated with increased circulating viral respiratory infections. Eight cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have been identified since December 21, 2023. Of these cases, 6 have been among adults and the other 2 in children Read more…
Situation Manitoba and Ontario have been seeing an increase in invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease (iGAS) cases recently. A trend of higher iGAS cases post pandemic is something that is being seen in many jurisdictions, including ours. Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) catchment area regularly has higher iGAS rates than the 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 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 There has been an increase in invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) Disease cases in other parts of Ontario and in the US. Cases include a larger proportion of children under 18 than in the past and the highest rates are in those aged 0-4 and 65 and over. Increased Read more…