News

Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 marks the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day that coincides with Orange Shirt Day. We observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in honour of the children who never returned home, the survivors of the residential schools, the missing children, and the families and communities who continue to be affected by the ongoing and intergenerational traumas of the residential school system.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015. The...

SWPH Preparing for Upcoming Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics

Media Release

September 15, 2023

Southwestern Public Health Preparing for Upcoming Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics

A new Covid-19 vaccine offering enhanced protection will soon arrive in our region.

With the arrival of cooler weather and the “cold and flu” season, Southwestern Public Health wants the community to know that the newest Covid-19 vaccine is on its way to the region.

“We’ve started to get questions and we want you to know that it’s coming!” says Jaime Fletcher, Program Manager of Vaccine...

Home-based Food Businesses Encouraged to Reach Out

MEDIA RELEASE

September 12, 2023

Public Health Unit Encourages Home-Based Food Businesses to Reach Out about Legislative Compliance

The Ontario Food Premises Regulation (O.Reg 493) requires that anyone planning to operate a food premises contact their local public health unit at least 14 days prior to opening.

Southwestern Public Health’s Public Health Inspectors would like to hear from home-based food businesses operating in Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas who have not yet...

Dog bite incident in Woodstock

Southwestern Public Health wants to identify a dog that bit someone on September 7th at approximately 11:30 a.m. near the corner of Landsdowne and Sprucedale in Woodstock. A woman was working as a Crossing Guard when two women crossed the street with a dog on a pink leash. When the dog reached the curb, after crossing, it turned suddenly and bit the Crossing Guard in her leg.

The dog is described as mostly a German Shepherd, but could be a mixed breed, light brown in colour.

Identifying the dog...

Blue- Green Algae Found in Wildwood Reservoir Near St. Marys

Blue-green algae found in Wildwood Reservoir

Wildwood Reservoir posted as unsafe for swimming.

Huron Perth Public Health and Southwestern Public Health are advising people that a bloom of blue-green algae has been detected in Wildwood Reservoir. The reservoir is located at Wildwood Conservation Area, near St. Marys. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that may be harmful to the health of humans and animals when there is direct contact with or consumption of the water. Algal blooms most commonly...

Opioid Monitoring Advisory: Toxic purple fentanyl

September 5, 2023

Attention: Oxford County

• Southwestern Public Health has received reports from clients and service providers of two deaths and multiple non-fatal poisonings that have occurred in the last week.
• The overdoses are suspected to be related to very toxic purple fentanyl currently circulating. 
• Be aware that fentanyl of any colour has the potential to be toxic.

In case of overdose:

• Call 911.
• Give naloxone if an opioid overdose is suspected (it may take more than one dose).
• Stay with and assist...