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 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…
Situation Internationally, there have been reports of multi-drug resistant (MDR) gonorrhea, and there has been an Ontario case of MDR gonorrhea identified in a patient with no known travel history. This strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae has reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone and cefixime and resistance to ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline. Goal Read more…
Issue Shigellosis is an acute infectious diarrheal disease characterized by severe abdominal cramps, tenesmus, fever and malaise, nausea, vomiting, and watery or bloody diarrhea which may contain mucus. It is highly infectious and a common cause of travel-associated diarrhea. Treatment includes rehydration and electrolyte replacement when indicated, and usually does Read more…
There has been a higher rate of HIV cases in the Kenora area in 2022, particularly towards the end of the year. Last year alone, nine confirmed cases were reported in the Kenora area which is much higher than in previous years. Between 2013 and 2021 there were only eight Read more…
The infectious syphilis outbreak in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area is ongoing, and rates continue to increase. In 2021, incidence rates increased by 107% from 2020. The most common risk factors remain no condom used, injection drug use/substance use, multiple sex partners and being underhoused/homeless. The majority of cases Read more…
The infectious syphilis outbreak in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area is ongoing. The majority of cases continue to be in Kenora but other cases have been identified in other communities including Sioux Lookout Please consider Testing for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections for those who are at risk. Read more…
Epidemiology Since May there have been reports of cases diagnosed with disseminated gonorrhea including sepsis and joint involvement in the Kenora and Sioux Lookout area. Overall gonorrhea (all cases) rates for the Kenora area have not increased but it is noted that gonorrhea rates did increase in the Dryden area Read more…
There is currently a shortage of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (1gm packing size) in Canada. There is no active shortage reported for the 3.5g product. Since there is no recommended safe alternative medication to be used prophylactically for newborns instead of erythromycin, please use the attached algorithms for screening and response Read more…