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From Ottawa Public Health
Fall 2023
Back to School – Vaccination, Dental Screening and Vision Health
Vaccination
Vaccines are one of the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century. Vaccines have saved countless lives and in fact, save an estimated four million lives globally each year!
As children and youth head back to school this fall, it is an important time to ensure they are up to date on their routine vaccinations. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted access to and delivery of routine childhood vaccines. In Ottawa alone, children and youth missed an estimated 40,000 doses of routine vaccines over the course of the pandemic. This means that many children are not fully protected against serious diseases that can have long-term impacts and result in hospitalization and even death. As children head back to school and resume their regular activities, getting caught up on vaccines not only helps protect each child, but it also helps protect the people they spend time with too. It helps keep children in school and doing the activities they love!
In Ontario, all children attending school need to be immunized against nine diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, whooping cough and chickenpox (for children born in 2010 or later). Over the past year, Ottawa Public Health has been working to notify families if their child’s record with Ottawa Public Health shows a vaccine is missing. This year, Ottawa Public Health will mail notices to children born in 2006 and 2016 who are missing one or more vaccines required for school.
What is Ottawa Public Health asking parents to do?
· Review your child’s vaccine record to see if they are missing any vaccines given during childhood or adolescence.
· Make sure to report your child’s vaccine to Ottawa Public Health. Parents are responsible for reporting their child’s vaccines; health care providers do not do this for you.
· Visit your health care provider to catch up on vaccines you need.
Don’t have a regular health care provider or are having trouble seeing one?
Ottawa Public Health is working with community partners, including the Kids Come First Health Team and organizations from across Eastern Ontario, to help make it easier for children and youth to catch up on routine vaccines. Parents can now:
· Book an appointment on the Kids Come First website to review their child’s vaccine record or receive vaccines.
Alternatively, Ottawa Public Health is offering routine vaccines through its Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs, on a walk-in basis. Parents can drop into one of the locations to review their child’s vaccine record and/or receive vaccines.
Dental Screening
Last school year, close to 10% of children screened in elementary schools presented with urgent dental needs such as cavities, signs of infection, and/or pain. School surveillance of grade 2 students and dental screening in other grades will resume in September. This year, three new schools will be offered dental screening services by our OPH registered dental hygienists, for a total of 228 elementary schools. The dental screening is done using a disposable tongue depressor and a flashlight to look into the child’s mouth.
The dental screening is important as it helps identify children in pain and those who require urgent dental care. The school dental hygienists support families with referrals to our OPH dental clinics or to a private dental office and can help low-income families apply to the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.
Dental problems can affect children in different ways, by leading to issues such as poor concentration and learning difficulties in school, limited choice of foods due to inability to chew properly, lower self-esteem and much more.
Vision Health
In September, OPH will distribute vision health cards to over 16,000 junior and senior kindergarten students. This vision health information will remind parents of the importance of taking their children to the optometrist for an annual eye exam. Vision problems can affect children’s learning abilities, social development, self-esteem and hand-eye coordination. If not identified early, some problems can permanently reduce a child's vision.
During Children’s Vision Month (October), OPH will be publishing a series of posts on social media (Facebook/Instagram), supported by a social media advertising campaign. This campaign will educate the audience on the importance of visual health, while also encouraging parents to take their children to their local optometrist for an annual eye exam.
On October 19, a local optometrist will be invited to be a guest on Parenting in Ottawa’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The optometrist will address questions and concerns about common issues around children’s vision and eye health.
Ontario Health 811
A free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or to find health services or information. Toll free TTY line: 1-866-797-0007. You can visit Health 811 for more information.
211 is here to help!
Dial 211 for local information and referrals on community, social, government and health services. 211 is a three-digit phone number that provides free, confidential and multilingual information and referrals to clients looking for community and social services in Ottawa. You can visit 211Ontario.ca for more information.
Summer 2023
Important Updates From Ottawa Public Health
First mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus this season. Details.
Horse in Ottawa tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) - Protect yourself against mosquito bites. Details
Vaccination against mpox - two individuals recently tested positive for mpox in Ottawa. Details
Rat Control Measures Rats are common pests that can damage property, contaminate food, and spread disease, so it’s important to prevent infestations. By-law and Regulatory Services within the Emergency and Protective Services department (EPS), the Public Works and Environmental Services department (PWES), and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) work collaboratively in responding to rat and rodent control issues. The first step to deal with rat issues is to contact 311. If the rat issue is on public property, including in sewers, a Service Request will be issued to PWES. If the issue is on private property, 311 will issue a Service Request for a Property Standards review from By-Law and Regulatory Services. Bylaw and Regulatory Services administers the Property Standards By-law, which requires that residential and non-residential properties be maintained free of vermin, including rats and rodents. The role of Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is largely educational in nature. OPH provides advice and guidance to those experiencing a rodent infestation on their property or in their home. As well, rodent issues are addressed during regular public health inspections conducted at inspected facilities located in your neighborhood, including restaurants, grocery stores, corner stores, etc. On the OPH website, you will find a Rat Control page with resources and advice on how best to protect your property and home from rats and other rodents, including a guide for property owners and tenants, Preventing Rats on Your Property. This material is available in French, English, Somali and Arabic and make use of pictures and information to help you understand the steps that can be taken to address the rat issue. Residents can call 613-580-6744 and speak with a Public Health Inspector to discuss the educational material located on our website. Implementing control measures on one’s own property is the responsibility of the property owner. The owner is recommended to refer to the educational guidance on our website and may elect to hire a professional pest control company for assistance. COVID-19 Vaccine Effective July 7, 2023, the Ministry of Health recommends individuals aged five years and older should consider delaying their COVID-19 booster until Fall 2023, as respiratory season commences, to maximize protection against COVID-19 outcomes when peak circulation of the virus is expected. For more information, visit COVID-19 vaccine.
June 2023
June 29, 2023 Outdoor Air Quality and Special Events Smoke from forest fires in northern Ontario and Quebec have been affecting air quality in Ottawa. Depending on the evolution of the situation, wildfire smoke may continue to affect air quality in Ottawa throughout the summer. Air pollutants can be harmful to health. There are simple steps that everyone can take to protect themselves when air quality is poor, including:
Downloading the WeatherCAN app to your mobile device to stay informed of all weather alerts, and
Monitoring the Ottawa Air Quality Health Index and the health messaging to plan activities accordingly.
What is the AQHI? The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale that describes regional air quality and what it means to your health. The scale is numbered from 1 to 10+ and shows the relative health risk associated with the air pollution level in the community. The higher the value of the AQHI the greater the risk and the need to take precautions. What happens when the AQHI is high? When the AQHI is 7 or greater (high) for 1 hour or more, or if the AQHI has not reached the high risk category but there is an air quality concern for a particular area that is expected to last for at least three hours, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) will jointly issue a Special Air Quality Statement or a Smog and Air Health Advisory. When an alert has been issued by ECCC and MECP, Ottawa Public Health notifies service providers of vulnerable residents and provides standard information on precautions. OPH also amplifies ECCC and MECP messaging to the public via social media. Planning outdoor activities when air quality is poor Residents may wonder how outdoor activities and events may be affected by air quality. Just as outdoor events and activities may be rescheduled due to thunderstorms or extreme heat, organizers should consider air quality when making decisions about events, including the types of activities offered, and whether to reschedule. For example, organizers of outdoor sporting events should take the AQHI into consideration because of the greater risk from outdoor physical exertion when air quality is poor. Everyone can take steps to reduce their health risk when air quality is poor:
Check the AQHI every day to find the air quality forecast for Ottawa.
Avoid strenuous outdoor work, exercise, and playtime.
Stay indoors in a cool, well-ventilated place and plan indoor activities for children.
If you experience symptoms such as tightness in your chest, wheezing, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention.
People who must be outside for extended periods of time in smoky or dusty air may benefit from a well-fitting respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to leak through small openings between the mask and face.
Find more information on OPH’s Outdoor Air Pollution webpage. Residents who have questions about the impact of poor air quality on their health can call the OPH at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
June 23, 2023
Drowning Prevention/Water Safety Summer is upon us and pools, beaches and water parks are now open. Did you know that drowning can occur in as little as 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water? There are many things you can do to keep you and your family safe around water. Here are some important water safety tips: • Stay within arm’s reach of children at all times, when in and around water • Ensure children and weaker swimmers are wearing a life jacket or a personal floatation device when, in and around water • Distraction free supervision - don’t text, read or run in and out of the house when children are near or in water • Ensure that your backyard pool is not accessible to children by using multiple layers of protection (e.g.: fences, self-closing gates) • Don’t consume drugs or alcohol when supervising and swimming with children • Keep safety equipment and a phone close • Register yourself and your family in swimming lessons. Swimming is a life skill that lasts a lifetime. For more information on water safety, please visit: [Ottawa%20Public%20Health]Ottawa Public Health and https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety.aspx It’s beach season! Daily water sampling at the City of Ottawa’s supervised beaches began on Saturday June 17. Water quality results are available at https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/beaches. You can also find the most recent results on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Every day our summer students take five samples from each supervised beach to a lab for testing. That will be 1440 samples, or 288 litres of water, this year! Our students make observations around water clarity, wind speed and direction, wave action, and bird activity. They also analyze rainfall and water level data to help us make the best predictions of water quality that we can. When the most recent results for water quality fail to meet Provincial standards we issue a swimming advisory, telling the public that swimming is not recommended at those locations. Other seasonal inspection work includes outdoor pool, splash pad and wading pool inspections. There are over 50 wading pools and 150 splash pads inspected every summer! Beaches, outdoor pools, wading pools, and splash pads are all great places to cool off on a hot summer day.
May 2023
May 25, 2023
West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease in Ottawa When ticks and mosquitoes are active, they have the potential to spread infections to Ottawa area residents. What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), most commonly during the spring, summer and fall months. If a person finds a tick on their body, they should remove it as soon as possible. The risk of Lyme disease increases the longer the tick is attached. Because blacklegged ticks in Ottawa are known to carry this bacteria, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends that, if a person finds a tick on their body that has been attached more than 24 hours, they speak to a healthcare provider or pharmacist. The healthcare provider or pharmacist will provide recommendations on what to do, which may include monitoring for symptoms for the next 32 days and, if appropriate, taking post-exposure prophylaxis (antibiotics). Early signs of Lyme disease occur three to 32 days following a tick bite. This may include an expanding, circular rash, which may look like a “bull’s eye,” but is not present in all cases. Other symptoms can include fatigue (tiredness), fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle and joint pain. If untreated, the infection can cause additional rashes on other areas of the body, fatigue, weakness, and may harm the heart, liver, nerves and joints. What is West Nile virus? West Nile virus (WNV) is a disease primarily spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes, especially the Culex type, become infected after biting a bird with the virus and then spread the virus to humans. It can take between three and 14 days before symptoms occur after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected with WNV will remain asymptomatic, but approximately 20% will develop symptoms of usually mild (through to sometimes debilitating) febrile illness, which may include headache, fatigue, body aches, rash, nausea and vomiting. Less than 1% of those infected may develop severe neurological illness. In Ontario, locally acquired WNV occurs in the summer months, with the majority of cases occurring in August and September. What is OPH’s Role? OPH works to prevent Lyme disease and West Nile virus through a variety of measures, including: · OPH investigates every case of a person being infected with Lyme disease or WNV to identify the likely source of infection and, where appropriate, takes action to minimize further risk to the population. · OPH provides information to physicians to aid in clinical diagnosis. · OPH also conducts public education on tick and mosquito bite prevention and conducts surveillance of mosquito and tick populations. Additionally, OPH contracts services to: · Apply biological larvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis – Bti) on surface waters (e.g., ditches, storm water management ponds) and chemical larvicide (methoprene) to treat non-surface waters for mosquito larvae · If necessary, conduct mosquito control using adulticide (malathion), based on assessment of increased transmission and risk How can individuals protect themselves from these infections? · Apply a Health Canada approved insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and clothing · When possible wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and socks to cover exposed skin · Tuck your pants into your socks · Wear light-coloured clothing to spot ticks more easily; this is also appropriate for mosquitoes as they are attracted to darker colours · If possible, stay on the trails when hiking in the woods and other natural areas. Enjoy mowed and maintained areas in parks and playing fields but be mindful of the borders adjacent to natural areas that may be suitable tick habitat · For ticks, do a "full body" check on yourself, your children, and pets. Pay careful attention around your toes, knees, groin, armpits and scalp · For mosquitoes, avoid being outside during dusk and dawn - periods when they are most active - and at any time in shady, wooded areas – remembering to use repellent and protective clothing if you must be out during these periods · Make sure all windows and doors in your home have well-fitting screens that are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering · Mosquitoes need water to breed. Eliminate mosquitoes around personal property by reducing or eliminating areas or objects that can accumulate or retain water For more information about West Nile virus and Lyme disease, visit the OPH website at Insects, Animals and Bites - Ottawa Public Health.
May 16, 2023 Rabies Prevention in Ottawa Ottawa Public Health (OPH), like every other health unit in Ontario, conducts rabies exposure investigations whenever an animal interacts with a person in such a way as to potentially expose them to Rabies. This is required by regulation under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, (Ontario Regulation 557). As, well, the provincial Rabies Protocol directs Boards of Health to receive and respond to all reported cases of potential rabies exposures on a 24/7 basis. This legal framework is designed to prevent rabies in humans by ensuring prompt exposure investigation. Recent surveillance indicates that Ottawa and surrounding areas do not currently have terrestrial animals with rabies (only mammals carry rabies). There have, however, been confirmed cases of rabid bats. In 2022, two bats tested positive for rabies and the people exposed received appropriate and timely treatment, including rabies vaccination, to ensure that they did not acquire rabies. Since untreated rabies is almost universally fatal, OPH conducts a thorough rabies investigation for every animal exposure where there may be saliva transferred from the animal into a human’s blood stream as through a bite or scratch. Human rabies cases in Canada are very rare, thanks to excellent prevention and control programs. Since reporting began in 1924, 25 people have died from rabies (7 cases in Ontario with the most recent being 2012 from an exposure outside the country). Prevention efforts are significant in that rabies in wild terrestrial animals and bats is endemic in Canada. The World Health Organization estimates that about 60,000 deaths occur from rabies annually (99% from domestic dogs that are unvaccinated and 40% of cases are children under 15 years of age. Every animal bite to a human where the skin has been broken is investigated for potential rabies transmission. These investigations can take between one hour to several days to complete, depending on the circumstances that led to the exposure. Each case is risk assessed to determine whether rabies vaccination may be required. If the animal is available for observation by a public health inspector, such as in the case of an owned dog, vaccination may not be required. In these cases, the animal can be observed for a ten-day period after the exposure (once shortly after the exposure and again at the end of ten days). If the animal is alive and well at the end of the observation period, it is not a rabies risk as it would have shown symptoms of rabies or died within this time frame had it been infected with rabies. When the animal is not available for observation, OPH may recommend that the person exposed receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis - RPEP (rabies vaccine and immune globulin). OPH works closely with the client and their health care provider, clinic or hospital to ensure that they receive RPEP within the strict timelines required to ensure the client does not acquire rabies from their exposure. OPH has seen an increase in domestic animal bites since the beginning of the pandemic. One factor that may have contributed to this increase could be due to the “Pandemic Pets” phenomenon where individuals sought animal companionship during periods when restrictions limited other types of social interactions, resulting in an overall increase in pet ownership in Ottawa. With ongoing education to residents through OPH’s website, by making certain that our professional partners know their duty to report potential exposures (we provide an annual “duty to report” letter to Health Care Providers, Police, Paramedics, Bylaw), and other social media efforts, OPH hopes to reduce the risk of potential rabies exposures both at home and while travelling. One very important aspect of preventing rabies is up-to-date vaccination of pets. However, there can be barriers for some pet owners due to financial challenges. OPH is hoping to be able to partner with local veterinarians and other City partners to be able to provide low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in the near future. We can all do our part to take a bite out of rabies. For more information visit our webpage – Rabies - Ottawa Public Health.
May 9, 2023
Emergency Preparedness Week - May 7-13, 2023
Emergency Preparedness Week has been a national event for over 25 years and aims to promote awareness about the importance of knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency. We know that emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere and can affect everyone. We also know some people are impacted more than others, particularly those living in densely populated areas and those with less access to resources.
This year OPH’s activities will highlight the importance of social capital - staying connected and leveraging networks and relationships among people within our community. When people have fewer material resources, they are less likely to be prepared for emergencies, which is where social capital fits in. When people in communities are already connected, it is easier to ask for or offer help. OPH is working to leverage and promote social capital as an emergency management strategy in priority neighborhoods, focusing on seniors living alone and the people who care for them.
As members of this community, we all have a role to play in an emergency. This week is an opportunity for us to take action to ensure we are prepared to make sure that we, along with our families and friends, and our communities are safe during an emergency. This year, the national theme is “Be prepared. Know your risks” which is intended to encourage residents to understand the risks where they live and learn about what actions they can take.
So, what can we do to be prepared and know our risks? Get to know our neighbors! A connected community is a resilient community. We can reduce health inequities by fostering connections within our communities and sharing information about how neighbors can help neighbors before, during, and after emergencies and where to go if they need further support.
Learn your risks by visiting the City of Ottawa’s Emergency Preparedness webpage: Before an emergency | City of Ottawa.
National Nursing Week - May 8-14, 2023
This year, Nursing Week runs from May 8-14 and represents a time to recognize the significant contributions of nurses throughout the lifespan and, notably, for their commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, while responding to concurrent emergencies and maintaining core services.
OPH’s understanding of racism deepened during the pandemic, particularly systemic racism as the root cause of health inequities observed in Indigenous, Black and racialized communities. We would be remiss not to mention the impacts of systemic racism (anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Asian, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim) on the daily lives of Indigenous, Black, and racialized nurses and the leadership nurses are providing to transform systems.
As public health practice evolves to achieve a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable future, the role of nurses at OPH continues to adapt and expand to support our population’s current needs. The pandemic put a spotlight on the commitment of nurses to their work and the important role they play in the community. By working together with our citizens and using a health equity lens, nurses strive to embed prevention across the health system to maximize impact and create a healthy future for all.
This year’s theme is “Our Nurses, Our Future”, highlighting the vital role nurses play in shaping decisions that impact care at local, provincial, and national levels. Public health is forward-thinking. The work nursed do now spans from the bedside to the boardroom, impacting the way we lead our lives every day to promote health now, so that our city remains safe, healthy, and thriving well into the future.
As we celebrate nursing week this year, let’s acknowledge the diverse role that nurses play to improve the current and future health and wellbeing of all.
Thank a nurse!
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May 4, 2023
Red Dress Day (May 5) - National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada have been the targets of violence for far too long. We acknowledge the many families affected by the loss of their daughters, sisters, mothers, aunties, grandmothers and two-spirit family and friends. Tomorrow is intended to honour the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and gender diverse people (MMWIG2S+) in Canada by taking time to appreciate their stories, the ongoing impact on their families and communities, and the urgency to address the 231 Calls for Justice to end this targeted, gendered, and racialized violence. For many non-Indigenous Canadians, this will require rethinking commonly held stereotypes about Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people, critically examining attitudes, biases, and behaviours, and confronting Indigenous-specific racism across systems. We recognize that this content may be triggering for some individuals. If you require support, we encourage you to connect with the MMWIG2S+ support call line at 1-844-413-6649. This line is available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Indigenous crisis counselling is also offered through the Indigenous-specific Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310. National Mental Health week This year, the first week of May marks the 72nd National Mental Health Week. This week is also Safety and Health Week, which provides us with another opportunity to reflect on mental health, whether that be in your personal/home life or in the workplace. Workplace Strategies for Mental Health has a variety of resources that you may find helpful. For more information on the 13 factors that affect mental health in the workplace, be sure to check out our have THAT talk videos. For information on accessing mental health supports, you can go to: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/MentalHealthAndWellness. If you are in crisis, contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991. If you have a youth in crisis, contact the Youth Services 24/7 Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-260-2360 of if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-877-377-7775. Perinatal Mental Health: Supporting New and Expectant Parents Perinatal Mental Health Day is a day to raise awareness of the mental health needs of expectant and new parents. Perinatal mental health refers to the mental well-being of individuals during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth. Pregnancy, childbirth and parenting are associated with many different and varied emotions, such as joy and frustration. As well, it is a transition that can sometimes be overwhelming for parents. It is not uncommon to experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns or illness during this time. In fact, according to The Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative (CPMHC), 20% of women and 10% of men will experience Perinatal mental illness such as mood and anxiety disorder. For more services in Ottawa, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s Mental Health, Addictions, Substance Use Health Services and Resources page. Respiratory Virus Dashboard We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard continues to be updated every Wednesday on our main respiratory virus activity webpage: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport .
April 2023
April 28, 2023 National Immunization Awareness Week April 24th to 30th is National Immunization Awareness Week. This annual event aligns with World Immunization Week. Every year, it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination and recognize the incredible impact vaccines have in protecting people against diseases like polio, measles, and pertussis. Check out our Immunization webpage for more information: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Immunization Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health (MHASUH) Community dashboard On April 18, OPH launched the new Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Community dashboard. This dashboard is the result of a multi-year collaboration, with the goal of improving the health status of the people of Ottawa in relation to mental health, addictions, and substance use health. This tool can be used to identify needs, inform systems and service planning, and contribute to building long-term promotion and prevention strategies in the community. To see the dashboard and learn more, please visit our website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/WellnessDashboard Respiratory Virus Dashboard We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard continues to be updated every Wednesday on our main respiratory virus activity webpage: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport . Semaine nationale de promotion de la vaccination La semaine nationale de promotion de la vaccination a lieu du 24 au 30 avril. Cet événement annuel cadre avec la semaine mondiale de la vaccination. Chaque année, c’est l’occasion de sensibiliser les gens à l'importance de la vaccination et de reconnaître le rôle primordial des vaccins dans la protection contre des maladies comme la polio, la rougeole et la coqueluche. Consultez notre site web d’immunisation pour en savoir plus : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/Immunisation Tableau de bord sur la Santé mentale, les dépendances et la santé liée à l’utilisation de substances (SMDSUS) Le 18 avril, SPO a lancé le nouveau tableau de bord sur la Santé mentale, les dépendances et la santé liée à l’utilisation de substances. Ce tableau de bord est le fruit d’une collaboration pluriannuelle, avec le but d’améliorer l’état de santé de la population d’Ottawa au chapitre de la santé mentale, des dépendances et de la santé liée à l’utilisation de substances. Cet outil peut servir à cerner les besoins et à orienter la planification des systèmes et des services, en plus d’aider à établir des stratégies de promotion et de prévention à long terme dans la communauté. Pour consulter le tableau de bord et en savoir plus, veuillez-vous rendre sur notre site Web à SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/TableaudeBordBien-être Tableau de bord des virus respiratoires Nous continuerons d’afficher des informations sur notre site Web principal sur le COVID-19 à SantéPubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus. Notre tableau de bord des virus respiratoires continuera d'être mis à jour chaque mercredi sur notre site Web principal pour les virus respiratoires : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/rapportgrippe
April 18, 2023 Healthy Babies, Healthy Children At-Home Visits Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) is a free, voluntary, and province-wide home-visit program designed to help children in our community get the best possible start in life. The HBHC program provides services to pregnant individuals, their partners, and to families with children from birth to their transition to school. Please review our Youtube video to see the impact this program had on one family. You can also find more information on our webpage National Volunteer Week Ottawa Public Health is proud to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Week which takes place April 16th to the 22nd, 2023. This year’s theme is “Volunteering Weaves Us Together.” Our volunteers strengthen our communities by their actions to support one another. We thank our volunteers for sharing their time, talent, and energy in making the City of Ottawa’s people and places healthy and thriving. Bookmark the Multilingual Resources and Health hub pages for Diverse Communities The Multilingual Resources for Diverse Communities page includes resources and videos in over 20 languages and cover a variety of health topics with a focus on COVID-19. Resources are developed by Ottawa Public Health and resources from provincial or federal organizations are also included. Information is updated regularly so please make sure to come back and visit these pages often. Website pages – Multilingual OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVIDmultilingual Health website pages in Somali, Arabic and Simplified Chinese - information, videos and resources. Somali Hub - Ottawa Public Health Arabic Hub - Ottawa Public Health Chinese Hub - Ottawa Public Health Website pages - Resources for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Community Members OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FirstNationsInuitandMetis
April 6, 2023 Vaccination Clinic Updates The JH Putman vaccination clinic is closed today due a power outage. Appointments will be rescheduled. All other Family & Community vaccination clinics & Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hubs are open. Visit our website for the latest updates: ParentingInOttawa.ca/ClinicHours Well Water Information Power outages can disrupt well water drinking supplies. Using the water while the power is out depressurizes the system & increases the chances of contamination. Visit our website to learn more about what to do during an outage & after power is restored: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/WellWater Food Safety in a Power Outage If experiencing a power outage, be sure to keep your food safe. Avoid opening the refrigerator door to keep its contents cold. Food in most freezers should remain frozen for 24 to 48 hours without power. Learn more: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FoodSafety April is Oral Health Month OPH Dental Health Services is a team of dental professionals working in various settings across the city including OPH’s dental clinics, schools and in the community. OPH provides access to dental treatment for low-income children and adults living in Ottawa. Dental screenings for all ages are available at Neighborhood Health and Wellness Hubs. Dental hygienists are available to help individuals understand and access dental services and programs, such Healthy Smiles Ontario, Canada Dental Benefit Plan, Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and more. Remember, oral health is integral to bodily health, and is linked to overall well-being and quality of life.
March 2023
March 9, 2023 Routine Vaccinations The re-emergence of certain vaccine preventable diseases is being seen in parts of the world and is cause for concern. OPH is monitoring the potential emergence of measles, and we are making continued efforts to increase uptake and coverage of routine childhood vaccinations. Thousands of children and youth in Ottawa are missing routine vaccinations that would protect them from measles and other vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccinations required for attending childcare and school should be kept up to date. Parents and guardians can find out if their child is due for vaccination, and which vaccinations have already been reported to OPH, by visiting our website at ParentingInOttawa/RoutineVaccination. You are encouraged to share our Facebook and Instagram posts. If you are travelling outside of Canada, ensure you are up to date on your vaccinations at least six weeks before your trip. Visit our Measles webpage for more information. Parenting in Ottawa Drop-Ins If you have questions about your baby’s growth and development or want to know if your child is on track, Ottawa Public Health has drop-in locations across the City. You can speak to a Public Health Nurse about infant feeding, social and emotional development, healthy eating, and more. This program is available to expectant parents and parents or guardians of children up to 6 years of age. Check out our new video on Twitter and Facebook. No need for an appointment, but you can find the drop-in calendar here: ParentingInOttawa.ca/dropins March is Nutrition Month Ottawa Public Health has a team of Public Health Dietitians, who play a unique role in supporting our communities to thrive. Dietitians use the science of nutrition to help people and communities meet their healthy eating goals. We work with partners to address issues like food insecurity and to create healthier places, where people live, work and play. Registered Dietitians are regulated health professionals who apply their expertise in food and nutrition to support individuals and communities to improve their health. The work of Registered Dietitians in public health is to make the healthy choice the easier choice for everyone. Find a dietitian near you! Respiratory Virus Dashboard We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard continues to be updated every Wednesday on our main respiratory virus activity webpage: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport . Les vaccinations routinières La réapparition de certaines maladies évitables par la vaccination est observée dans certaines régions du monde et est préoccupante. SPO surveille l’émergence de maladies évitables par la vaccination, comme la rougeole, et nous déployons des efforts continus pour augmenter l’adoption et la couverture des vaccins infantiles de routine. Des milliers d’enfants et de jeunes à Ottawa n’ont pas reçu certains vaccins de routine qui les protégeraient contre des maladies comme la rougeole et la polio. Les vaccins requis dans les centres de garde et les écoles doivent être tenus à jour. Les parents peuvent savoir si leur enfant doit être vacciné et quels vaccins ont déjà été signalés à SPO, en visitant notre site Web EtreParentAOttawa.ca/Vaccinationroutinière. Vous êtes encouragés à partager nos vidéos qui se trouvent sur Facebook et Instagram. Si vous voyagez à l’extérieur du Canada, assurez-vous d’être à jour avec vos vaccins au moins six semaines avant votre voyage. Consultez notre page Web sur la rougeole pour en savoir plus. Carrefours « Être parent à Ottawa » Si vous avez des questions au sujet de la croissance et le développement de votre enfant ou si voulez savoir si votre enfant est sur la bonne voie, Santé Publique Ottawa a des cliniques Être parent à Ottawa partout dans la ville d'Ottawa. Vous pouvez parler avec une infirmière en santé publique au sujet de l'allaitement, le développement social et émotionnel, bien manger, et de plus. Ce programme s’adresse aux futurs parents ainsi qu’aux parents et tuteurs des enfants jusqu’à six ans. Veuillez consultez notre vidéo sur Twitter et Facebook. Aucun rendez-vous nécessaire, mais veuillez vérifier le calendrier des Carrefours : EtreParentAOttawa.ca/Carrefours Mars est le Mois de la nutrition Santé publique Ottawa peut compter sur une équipe de diététistes en santé publique, qui joue un rôle bien à elle dans l’épanouissement de nos communautés. Ce corps professionnel utilise la science ainsi que son expertise en alimentation et en nutrition pour aider les gens et les communautés à vivre mieux et à atteindre leurs objectifs d’alimentation saine. De concert avec ses partenaires, elle s’attaque à des enjeux tels que l’insécurité alimentaire et travaille à créer des milieux plus sains où il fait bon vivre, travailler et s’amuser. Les diététistes sont des spécialistes de la santé, dont la profession est réglementée. Le travail des diététistes en santé publique consiste à s’assurer que faire le choix santé, ce n’est pas compliqué. Rencontrer une ou un diététiste près de chez vous! Tableau de bord des virus respiratoires Nous continuerons d’afficher des informations sur notre site Web principal sur le COVID-19 à SantéPubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus. Notre tableau de bord des virus respiratoires continuera d'être mis à jour chaque mercredi sur notre site Web principal pour les virus respiratoires : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/rapportgrippe
March 2, 2023
Black Mental Health Week (BMHW), March 1-7th 2023 BMHW is an opportunity to bring together the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition (OBMHC) members and community partners to share expertise and celebrate innovative leadership in mental health for African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities. The OBMHC is a network of more than 20 Black leaders in academics and health and social services, as well as community associations who have been convening to identify system changes that will improve the mental health and well-being of Black residents in Ottawa. This year, the theme for Black Mental Health Week is Exploring Stigma and Black Mental Health. The week will feature a series of speakers to uplift, inform and advance Black Mental Health. On Monday, March 6th from 1:00-2:00pm, OPH will host a virtual education session on Zoom to discuss how the language we use can either hinder or help support mental health and wellness. For a detailed list of the BMHW activities, please visit the OBMHC Eventbrite page to register. March is Francophonie Month. Celebrate with us! All over the world, Francophones and Francophiles celebrate the French language and the Francophonie during the month of March, culminating with International Francophonie Day on March 20th. At OPH, we recognize that the Francophonie is not a uniform community but rather an amazing kaleidoscope of cultures, practices, religions, and dialects that bring a richness to our community, new opportunities, visions and ways of doing things. We continue to encourage Francophones and Francophiles to be proud of who they are, of their heritage and of the contributions they bring to our organization and to our community. We invite you to learn more about Francophonie Month and local resources available to you: Les Rendez-vous de la francophonie
Celebrate with us
Ontario Features
La Maison de la francophonie d’Ottawa Le Réseau des services de santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontario ACFO – Association des communautés francophones d’Ottawa Respiratory Virus Dashboard We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard continues to be updated every Wednesday on our main respiratory virus activity webpage: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport . La Semaine de la santé mentale des Noirs (SSMN), qui aura lieu du 1er au 7 mars 2023 SSMN est l’occasion de réunir les membres de la Coalition pour la santé mentale des Noirs d’Ottawa (CSMNO) et les partenaires communautaires pour mettre en commun leur expertise et célébrer le leadership novateur en matière de santé mentale pour les communautés africaines, caribéennes et noires (ACN). La CSMNO est un réseau de plus de 20 dirigeants noirs dans les domaines de la santé et des services sociaux et du milieu universitaire, ainsi que des associations communautaires, qui se sont réunis pour déterminer les changements à apporter au système afin d’améliorer la santé mentale et le bien-être des résidents noirs d’Ottawa. Cette année, le thème de la Semaine de la santé mentale des Noirs est « Explorer la stigmatisation et la santé mentale des Noirs ». Durant la semaine, une série de conférenciers prendront la parole pour encourager, informer et faire progresser la santé mentale des Noirs. Le lundi 6 mars, de 13 h à 14 h, SPO animeront une séance d’éducation virtuelle sur Zoom pour discuter de la façon dont le langage utilisé peut nuire ou aider à la santé mentale et du bien-être. Pour obtenir une liste détaillée des activités de la Semaine de la santé mentale des Noirs et pour vous inscrire, veuillez consulter la page Eventbrite de la CSMNO. Mars est le Mois de la Francophonie. Célébrons ensemble! Partout dans le monde, les francophones et les francophiles célèbrent la langue française et la Francophonie au cours du mois de mars, avec pour point d’orgue la Journée internationale de la Francophonie le 20 mars. À SPO, nous reconnaissons que la Francophonie n’est pas une communauté homogène, mais plutôt un étonnant kaléidoscope de cultures, de pratiques, de religions et de dialectes qui apportent une richesse à notre communauté, ainsi que de nouvelles possibilités, visions et façons de faire. Nous continuons d’encourager les francophones et les francophiles à être fiers de ce qu’ils sont, de leur héritage et des contributions qu’ils apportent à notre organisation et à notre communauté. Nous vous invitons à en apprendre davantage sur le Mois de la Francophonie et sur les ressources locales qui sont mises à votre disposition : Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
Célébrons ensemble!
Caractéristiques de l’Ontario
La Maison de la francophonie d’Ottawa Le Réseau des services de santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontario ACFO – Association des communautés francophones d’Ottawa Tableau de bord des virus respiratoires Nous continuerons d’afficher des informations sur notre site Web principal sur le COVID-19 à SantéPubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus. Notre tableau de bord des virus respiratoires continuera d'être mis à jour chaque mercredi sur notre site Web principal pour les virus respiratoires : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/rapportgrippe
February 2023
February 23, 2023 2021 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) results Today, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) released their Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) results. The OSDUHS is a population survey of Ontario students in grades 7 through 12. The survey provides reliable information about the health risk behaviours, attitudes and beliefs of Ontario adolescents, and it tracks changes over time. The report is live on the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) website as a summary infographic and as a full report. OPH has partnered with CAMH to get Ottawa specific data. The analysis provides valuable data that will help inform how to best support the mental health, addictions and substance use health needs of our community. You can find that report on our website: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/MentalHealth Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has released the OSDUHS report containing Ottawa specific data. The 2021 OSDUHS report provides data on mental health, addictions and substance use health among Ottawa students during the pandemic and allows us to compare with pre-pandemic data from the 2019 cycle of OSDUHS. The report highlighted the resiliency of youth in our community to adapt to an unprecedented life event. However, the report also highlighted that this experience has negatively impacted many youth. OPH continues to work with our youth-serving community partners, such as school boards, 1Call1Click and many others, to find solutions to the issues raised in the report. Pink Shirt Day Today, February 22 is Pink Shirt Day - wear pink to help bring awareness to bullying. Go to www.pinkshirtday.ca to learn more about Pink Shirt Day. Information on bullying can be found at Parenting in Ottawa and PREVNet. Respiratory Virus Dashboard We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard continues to be updated every Wednesday on our main respiratory virus activity webpage: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport . Bonjour, Vous trouverez ci-dessous des mises à jour de Santé publique Ottawa (SPO). Nous vous encourageons à partager ces informations avec vos réseaux. Nous vous invitons aussi à encourager vos réseaux respectifs à nous suivre sur Facebook, Instagram et Twitter afin d’obtenir les informations les plus récentes. Si vous avez des questions, veuillez nous contacter par courriel à RelationsPartiesprenantesSPO@Ottawa.ca. Meilleures salutations, L'équipe de SPO Résultats du Sondage sur la consommation de drogues et la santé des élèves de l’Ontario (SCDSEO) de 2021 Aujourd’hui, le Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH) a publié les résultats du sondage sur la consommation de drogues et la santé des élèves de l’Ontario (SCDSEO). Le SCDSEO est un sondage auprès des élèves de la 7e à la 12e année de l’Ontario. Le rapport fournit des renseignements fiables sur les comportements à risque, les attitudes et les croyances des adolescents de l’Ontario et suit les changements au fil du temps. Le rapport est sur le site Web du Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH) sous forme de résumé infographique et de rapport complet (en anglais avec résumé français à l’intérieur). SPO a établi un partenariat avec CAMH pour obtenir des données propres à Ottawa. L’analyse fournit des données précieuses qui aideront à déterminer la meilleure façon de répondre aux besoins de notre collectivité en matière de santé mentale, et de toxicomanie. Vous trouverez ce rapport sur notre site Web : SantePublique.ca/SanteMentale Journée du chandail rose Aujourd’hui, le 22 février est la journée du chandail rose - portez du rose pour aider à sensibiliser le public au problème de l'intimidation. Rendez-vous sur www.pinkshirtday.ca (en anglais seulement) pour vous renseigner davantage sur la Journée du chandail rose. Vous trouverez également des renseignements sur l’intimidation sur les sites Être parent à Ottawa et PREVNet. Tableau de bord des virus respiratoires Nous continuerons d’afficher des informations sur notre site Web principal sur le COVID-19 à SantéPubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus. Notre tableau de bord des virus respiratoires continuera d'être mis à jour chaque mercredi sur notre site Web principal pour les virus respiratoires : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/rapportgrippe
February 16, 2023 Make Family Day an Active Day! Family Day is a great opportunity to be active with your family. Being active together is fun and will help your children to be active for life. The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines advise us to move more, reduce the time that we sit, and get good sleep. They tell us how much and what kind of physical activity each age group should be doing every day for good health. Consider these activities:
Go on a family hike! Explore great trails in or near Ottawa
Go for a walk along the Rideau Canal or in the Byward Market
Go for a family swim
Bring your helmets and go for a family skate at a local arena or outdoor rink
Bring your helmets and go tobogganing on approved hills
February 23 is Kids Vaccine Day! ScienceUpFirst & Children’s Healthcare Canada will be hosting an online town Hall talking about routine vaccination for children. Tune in on Thursday, February 23 at 8 pm. For more info, visit: www.scienceupfirst.com/kids-vaccines-day/ Pink Shirt Day February 22 is Pink Shirt Day - wear pink to help bring awareness to bullying. Go to www.pinksirtday.ca to learn more about Pink Shirt day. Information on bullying can be found at Parenting in Ottawa and PREVNet. Respiratory Virus Dashboard We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard will continue to be updated every Wednesday on our main respiratory virus activity webpage : www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport . Bonjour, Vous trouverez ci-dessous des mises à jour de Santé publique Ottawa (SPO). Nous vous encourageons à partager ces informations avec vos réseaux. Nous vous invitons aussi à encourager vos réseaux respectifs à nous suivre sur Facebook, Instagram et Twitter afin d’obtenir les informations les plus récentes. Si vous avez des questions, veuillez nous contacter par courriel à RelationsPartiesprenantesSPO@Ottawa.ca. Meilleures salutations, L'équipe de SPO Soyez dans l’action le jour de la Famille ! Le jour de la Famille représente une formidable occasion d’être actif avec la famille. S’activer en famille peut être amusant et aider votre enfant à être actif pour la vie. S’activer en famille peut être amusant et aider votre enfant à être actif pour la vie. Les directives canadiennes en matière de mouvement sur 24 heuresdirectives canadiennes en matière de mouvement sur 24 heures nous conseillent de bouger plus, de passer moins de temps assis et de bien dormir. Elles nous indiquent la quantité et le type d’activité physique que chaque groupe d’âge devrait pratiquer chaque jour pour favoriser sa santé. Voici des idées d’activités :
Faites une randonnée en famille! Explorez les superbes sentiers à Ottawa ou à proximité.
Faites une promenade le long du canal Rideau ou au marché By.
Allez nager en famille.
Sortez vos casques pour aller patinerpatiner en famille dans un aréna ou sur une patinoire extérieure près de chez vous.
Sortez vos casques pour aller glisser sur les pentes autorisées.
Le 23 février est la journée nationale de la vaccination pour les enfants! LaScienceDAbord et Santé des enfants Canada organisent une assemblée publique en ligne sur la vaccination de routine pour les enfants. Connectez-vous jeudi, le 23 février à 20h. Pour en savoir plus : https://www.scienceupfirst.com/journee-de-la-vaccination-chez-les-enfants Journée du chandail rose Le 22 février est la journée du chandail rose - portez du rose pour aider à sensibiliser le public au problème de l'intimidation. Rendez vous sur www.pinkshirtday.ca (en anglais seulement) pour vous renseigner davantage sur la Journée du chandail rose. Vous trouverez également des renseignements sur l’intimidation sur les sites Être parent à Ottawa et PREVNet. Tableau de bord des virus respiratoires Nous continuerons d’afficher des informations sur notre site Web principal sur le COVID-19 à SantéPubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus. Notre tableau de bord des virus respiratoires continuera d'être mis à jour chaque mercredi sur notre site Web principal pour les virus respiratoires : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/rapportgrippe.
February 10, 2023 Updated Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) released Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health on January 17, 2023. The report is designed to provide Canadians with current evidence-based recommendations on alcohol-related harms. The updated guidance states that consuming more than 2 standard drinks per occasion is associated with an increased risk of harms to self and others.
0 drinks per week — Not drinking has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep.
2 standard drinks or less per week — At this level people are likely to avoid alcohol-related consequences for themself or others.
3–6 standard drinks per week — People have increases in health-related harms at this level. The guidelines indicate an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer.
7 standard drinks or more per week — The risk of heart disease or stroke increases significantly at this level.
Each additional standard drink radically increases the risk of alcohol-related consequences.
For more information on resources, programming and treatment on mental health and substance use health, please visit: Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Services and Resources - Ottawa Public Health. End of Weekly Snapshot We are ending the weekly snapshots. The last versions of the weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels. We will continue to post on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Our Respiratory Virus dashboard will continue to be updated on our main respiratory virus activity webpage : www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport . Key Takeaways · The downwards trends we’ve seen over the past few weeks continue to move in the right direction. It doesn’t mean we can let our guard down, but it is encouraging. · It’s still important to use your layers of protection, especially as we move through the winter months. Masks, COVID-19 vaccines & boosters, flu vaccines, staying home when sick, they all work. · As always, you can find info about eligibility & intervals for flu or COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 treatment options on our website OttawaPublicHealth.ca Révision des Directives de consommation d’alcool à faible risque du Canada Le 17 janvier 2023, le Centre canadien sur les dépendances et l’usage de substance (CCDUS) a publié les Repères canadiens sur l’alcool et la santé. Le rapport est conçu pour fournir aux Canadiens et Canadiennes des recommandations actuelles fondées sur des données probantes sur les méfaits de l’alcool. Les nouvelles recommandations indiquent que la consommation de plus de deux verres standards par occasion entraîne un risque accru de danger pour soi et pour les autres.
0 verre par semaine – Offre de nombreux bénéfices, par exemple une meilleure santé et un meilleur sommeil.
2 verres standards ou moins par semaine – Permet généralement d’éviter les conséquences de l’alcool pour soi-même et pour les autres.
3 à 6 verres standards par semaine – Augmente les risques pour la santé, notamment le risque de développer plusieurs cancers, comme le cancer du sein et du côlon.
7 verres standards ou plus par semaine – Augmente le risque de cardiopathie ou d’accident vasculaire cérébral.
Au-delà de 7 verres standards par semaine – Augmente radicalement les risques à chaque verre de plus.
Pour plus d’informations, sur les resources, les programmes et les traitements en matière de santé mentale et de santé liée à l’utilisation de substance, veuillez visiter : Services et ressources de santé mentale, dépendances et de santé liée à l’utilisation de substances (Santé publique Ottawa). Fin de l’aperçu hebdomadaire Nous terminons les aperçus hebdomadaires. Les dernières versions des aperçus hebdomadaires des virus respiratoires seront diffusés sur les canaux Facebook, Twitter et Instagram de SPO. Nous continuerons d’afficher des informations sur notre site Web principal sur le COVID-19 à SantéPubliqueOttawa.ca/coronavirus. Notre tableau de bord des virus respiratoires continuera d'être mis à jour sur notre site Web principal pour les virus respiratoires : SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/rapportgrippe Messages clés
Les tendances à la baisse que nous avons observées ces dernières semaines continuent d’évoluer dans la bonne direction. Cela ne signifie pas pour autant que nous pouvons baisser la garde, mais c’est encourageant.
Il est toujours important d’utiliser vos couches de protection, surtout pendant les mois d’hiver. Le masque, le vaccin et les doses de rappel contre la COVID‑19, le vaccin contre la grippe, rester à la maison quand on est malade : toutes ces méthodes fonctionnent.
Comme toujours, vous pouvez obtenir des renseignements sur l’admissibilité aux vaccins contre la grippe ou la COVID‑19 et les intervalles entre chaque vaccin, ainsi que les options de traitement de la COVID‑19 sur notre site Web santepubliqueottawa.ca.
February 3, 2023 Black History Month February is Black History Month. Throughout the month, there are activities and events highlighting the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians While it is important to learn about the history of Black people in Canada and celebrate their achievements, we should also use the opportunity to address systemic racism that erased Black people from the history of Canada in the first place. This month provides an opportunity to reflect on our respective roles and to challenge ourselves to go beyond learning about notable Black individuals by marking Black History Month in a more meaningful and impactful way. Below are some recommendations for self-guided learning: - Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) – Anti-Racism Learning Series - Black Ottawa Connect – Anti-Black Racism - Black History Ottawa The Ottawa Public Library also invites residents to explore and reflect on how Black communities have resisted oppression in the past and today through a variety of activities. Weekly Snapshot and Dashboard Our weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitterv and Instagram channels and posted on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Check out the dashboard displaying information about respiratory virus activity: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport Key Takeaways
Our monitoring indicators continue to show an encouraging picture in terms of the overall levels of respiratory viruses circulating in Ottawa; though the levels of COVID-19 are still high.
Vaccination (flu & COVID-19), wearing masks in indoor public places & staying home when sick remain our best tools at limiting the spread of these viruses.
If you have questions about eligibility or intervals for flu or COVID-19 vaccines, or about COVID-19 treatment options, our website has helpful info for you OttawaPublicHealth.ca. If you prefer talking to humans, you can call us at 613-580-6744 and chat with one of our amazing nurses.
Don’t forget: you can find a complete breakdown of this week’s monitoring indicators on our Respiratory Virus dashboard, which is updated every Wednesday at 12:30pm: http://OttawaPublicHealth.ca/VirusReport
January 2023
January 27
Routine Vaccination for Children at Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hubs Routine vaccinations protect people and those around them against diseases like measles and polio, and are required for school and daycare attendance. For children and youth who are facing barriers to accessing routine vaccinations in the community, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is helping them get caught up on their vaccines. In addition to Ottawa Public Health’s Family Vaccination Clinics, four Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs now offer routine vaccinations. All vaccines at these clinics are offered at no cost, and an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card is not required. A reminder to update immunization records by reporting them Ottawa Public Health. Visit ParentingInOttawa.ca/immunizations Weekly Snapshot and Dashboard Our weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels and posted on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Check out the dashboard displaying information about respiratory virus activity: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport Key Takeaways
Our monitoring indicators continue to paint an encouraging picture of our overall situation, though it’s important to note that while many of our indicators are in decline, there are still high levels of COVID-19 circulating in Ottawa.
The layers of protection we’ve all been using throughout these winter months are still helpful in reducing the spread of these viruses. Wearing high-quality & well-fitted masks, staying home when sick & getting your vaccines (flu & COVID-19) help keep you and our community safe.
If you have questions about eligibility or intervals for flu or COVID-19 vaccines, or about COVID-19 treatment options, you can find info on our website OttawaPublicHealth.ca, or you can also call us at 613-580-6744 and one of our wonderful nurses would be happy to chat with you.
As always, you can find a more detailed breakdown of this week’s monitoring indicators on our dashboard: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/VirusReport
January 12
Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs Ottawa Public Health offers free drop-in services to all residents of Ottawa at our accessible Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. Find updated information on our website: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NeighbourhoodHubs Reduce Your Risk of Falling Anyone can fall. But as we age, our risk of falling becomes greater. The first step to avoiding falls is to understand what causes them. Poor balance, decreased muscle and bone strength, and winter snow and ice can increase your chance of falling. Staying safe and on your feet is a matter of taking some steps to protect yourself. For more information, visit Ottawapublichealth.ca Here are some resources to help reduce your risk of having a fall.
You Can Prevent Falls!
Winter Walking
Strength and Balance Exercises
Weekly Snapshot and Dashboard Our weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels and posted on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Check out the dashboard displaying information about respiratory virus activity: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport Key Takeaways
We continue to see high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in our community, and we are still seeing a concerning increase in the levels of COVID-19.
Between the presence of these viruses, and new COVID-19 variants emerging, it’s very important to do everything you can to protect yourself and those around you.
This is especially important for those at higher risk. Overall risk increases with age, and respiratory viruses can also be more difficult for those with complex medical needs & those who are immunocompromised.
If you’re going to be in an indoor public setting, wearing a well-fitted high-quality mask will go a long way towards helping to keep you & the people around you safer from virus transmission.
Same goes with staying home when sick, especially with school resuming. If you’re feeling sick, please stay home to protect those around you.
Lastly, get your flu vaccine & stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. The bivalent booster offers significant protection against severe illness and hospitalization...protection you’ll want to have as we get through these colder months.
January 5
Happy new year! Reminder If you plan on visiting a loved one in a long-term care or retirement home, screen for symptoms, stay home if you feel sick, and if you feel well, wear a well-fitting mask during your visit. If you have any respiratory symptoms, remember to isolate until your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours and wear a mask for 10 days after the start of symptoms. More information on isolation and mask wearing can be found on our website: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/IsolationInstructions Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs We’ve updated our website! In collaboration with city and community partners, Ottawa Public Health offers free drop-in services to all residents of Ottawa at our accessible Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. Find updated information on our website: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NeighbourhoodHubs Weekly Snapshot and Dashboard Our weekly Respiratory Virus Snapshots are shared through OPH’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels and posted on our main COVID-19 website at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/coronavirus. Check out the dashboard displaying information about respiratory virus activity: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FluReport