See more:
HKLPR Health Unit
Search Omemee Pigeon eFlyer
Custom Search
Showing posts with label HKLPR Health Unit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HKLPR Health Unit. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tick Talk! Tick Populations Rise!
Ontario Lyme Disease Case Rise Brings Health Unit Warning to Take Local Precautions
An ‘uptick’ in cases of Lyme disease in parts of Ontario is a reminder that local residents should be cautious of ticks that can spread the illness, the local Health Unit warns.The population of blacklegged ticks is spreading into new areas of the province, according to the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine VcRidge District Health Unit. The ticks are very tiny and cannot fly, but will settle on tall grasses and bushes until they can attach themselves to a passing person or animal. These ticks will feed on their host’s blood, and in some cases, may transmit Lyme disease to the individual.
“Lyme disease can be very devastating to a person, so you should be watchful for these ticks when camping, fishing, hiking and being active outdoors,” says Richard Ovcharovich, Manager of Environmental Health with the HKPR District Health Unit. “The best advice is: know the bug, know the bite, and know what to do.”Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fever, headache, tiredness and muscle and joint pains. A very good indicator of Lyme disease is a skin rash in the shape of a bull’s eye. These symptoms can occur as soon as three days or as long as a month after a tick bite. Anyone experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease should seek immediate medical treatment. “The earlier Lyme disease is treated, the better it is for the person,” Ovcharovich adds.
To prevent ticks from biting, the Health Unit advises local residents to:
• Wear light-coloured clothing, which makes ticks easier to spot.
• Wear closed footwear and socks, a long sleeved shirt and long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks.
• Use a tick repellent that has DEET, following the manufacturer’s directions.
• If in an area where you might get bitten by ticks, search your body for ticks at least once a day. Pay special attention to
the scalp, groin and armpits.
If you find a tick on your body, use tweezers to remove it. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull it straight out, in a gentle but firm manner. Save the tick alive in a jar or screw-top bottle, if you can, and take it to your health care provider or local Health Unit office for testing to determine if the tick is the type that can carry Lyme disease. If necessary, further testing can then be done to check for Lyme disease.
While Lyme disease is not spread from person-to-person, pets such as dogs and cats can increase an individual’s exposure to it. This can occur if a dog or cat carries ticks that spread Lyme disease into a home or yard, potentially placing people at greater risk of infection. According to Ovcharovich, pet owners should put tick and flea collars on pets and periodically check dogs and cats for the presence of ticks.
For more information on Lyme disease, call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 or visit www.hkpr.on.ca
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Omemee Swimming Great Water Conditions! Did your beach Pass?
Great News! Omemee Beach Open - 3 Area Beaches May Pose Risks!
Yes! Omemee Beach is open! Swimmers are thrilled to take a cooling dip at Omemee Beach,however some local beaches did not fare so well. Remember to walk your dog prior to them entering the beach area,and stoop and scoop. Please ,please,please. Also make sure you place all food scraps in bins provided and DO NOT FEED GEESE BY TGE WATER. What goes in one end comes out the other. Let's keep all our area beaches open for swimming this summer!
- Beach Testing Results For City of Kawartha Lakes -
(CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES) – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit reports the following beach testing results for the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The information is current for the week of June 11, 2012, and is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches. The Health Unit advises local residents to note:
• Beaches marked as ‘OPEN’ are considered within acceptable levels as set out in the Ontario government’s Beach Management Protocol.
• Beaches marked ‘POSTED’ indicate bacterial levels in the water are higher than those considered acceptable as set out in the Ontario government’s Beach Management Protocol, making them unsafe for bathing.
• Beaches listed as ‘Results Unavailable’ indicate test results are not yet available. People can call the Health Unit or visit www.hkpr.on.ca for the most up-to-date results on these beaches.
Bexley Township Area
Balsam Lake Road Beach OPEN
Coboconk Lions Park Beach Results Unavailable
Bobcaygeon Area Beach Park POSTED
Riverview Beach Park OPEN
Carden Township Area
Carden Township Beach OPEN
Foxe’s Beach OPEN
Dalton Township Area
Dalton Township Beach OPENEldon Township Area
Centennial Park East POSTEDCentennial Park West POSTED
Emily/Omemee Area Omemee Beach OPEN
Fenelon Falls Area Birch Point OPEN
Bond Street OPEN
Ken Reid Conservation Area OPEN
Killarney Bay OPEN
Long Beach OPEN
Sturgeon Point Beach OPEN
Laxton Township Area
Elliott Falls Beach Results UnavailableHead Lake Results Unavailable
Norland Bathing Area Results Unavailable
Mariposa Township Area Sandbar Beach OPEN
Somerville Township Area
Burnt River Beach – Somerville OPEN
Burnt River Four Mile Lake OPEN
Verulam Township Area
Centennial Beach – Verulam OPENVerulam Recreational Park OPEN
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Seniors Advocates Offer Council 8 Keys Towards More Age-Friendly Communities!
New Report Points Out Specific Actions Towards Becoming More Age-Friendly
Omemee, though small size-wise actively works towards making its community age-friendly, as does Fenelon Falls. However, City of Kawartha Lakes as a whole needs to make greater efforts towards ensuring seniors do not need to move to other more supportive communities as they age. The new Age-Friendly City of Kawartha Lakes: Report to the Community presented at today's council meeting, urges local politicians, municipal officials, service providers and area residents 'to improve current polices and practices to accommodate and celebrate an aging population.” The report cites specific actions that can help ensure seniors do not need to move to more age-friendly municipalities in their later years.
8 Keys Towards More Age-Friendly Communities Take Action Now!
With a growing seniors population in City of Kawartha Lakes, it is of utmost importance actions outlined in the new age-friendly report be undertaken. The just-released report, based on extensive public feedback, outlines eight key areas in which to create a more “age- friendly” City of Kawartha Lakes. These key areas include:
1. Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Communication and Information
5. Civic Participation and Employment
6. Community Support and Health Services
7. Respect and Social Inclusion
8. Social Participation
“An aging population represents challenges and opportunities,” says Doreen Boville, a Health Promoter with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “This report is intended to serve as a roadmap by which the City of Kawartha Lakes can become a more age-friendly community.”
According to Boville, an age-friendly community is a healthy and active place where people of all ages and abilities enjoy enhanced quality of life. By providing programs and support services that assist older adults, an age-friendly community helps all its citizens, including families, young children and persons with disabilities. Locally, the Health Unit initiated the age-friendly project in 2010 with the assistance of local service providers and older adults. After two years of promoting and gaining feedback on the concept of an age-friendly community, the Report to the Community is intended to turn words into concrete action.
“With the support and direction from local residents, we want to get down to work,” says Boville.
The Age-Friendly City of Kawartha Lakes: Report to the Community finds that, while people are generally happy living in their communities, they fear they may have no choice but to move away if their needs change as they get older.
Specific Actions Towards More Age-Friendly Communities
The report also calls for specific actions, such as:
Doreen Boville,Health Promoter with the Health Unit, said the report was presented to City of Kawartha Lakes council today, and that it was received for information. Councillors have also sent the report to city staff for review, and possible action on its recommendations.
• Breaking down barriers to accessible outdoor spaces and public buildings by creating more rest areas, making public washrooms more accessible and ensuring sidewalks are well-maintained. Businesses could also do more to make their storefronts more accessible.
• Taking action to address a shortage of rural transportation and accessible public parking spaces.
• Making affordable, accessible housing more available in the area.
• Reducing waiting lists for long-term care and addressing the shortage of health care providers in the community.
• Encouraging more collaboration and communication between young and old
• Improving awareness about disabilities and mental health issues.
In addition, the Report to the Community is being distributed to local agencies that work with older adults, municipal departments within the City of Kawartha Lakes, and advisory committees of council. In Omemee and Fenelon Falls, work is already underway to address concerns identified in the report. For more information about the Age-Friendly City of Kawartha Lakes report, contact the Health Unit at (705) 324-3569.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
