News

Southwestern Public Health invites community input to help shape its five-year strategic plan

Southwestern Public Health has launched a community feedback campaign to help shape its five-year strategic plan.

Throughout November, the health unit will host staff town halls and interviews with community service providers to gather perspectives from health and social service partners. The public are encouraged to participate through an online survey.

“It is important for us to hear from a range of people across the region to better understand how we are meeting the community’s needs, and where...

SWPH confirms a new case of measles in the region

Southwestern Public Health is reporting one new lab-confirmed case of measles in the region that carries the risk of exposure in a healthcare setting. The individual is an unimmunized child who is currently hospitalized. It is unknown if this case is linked to a recent cluster of measles cases reported in early November.

The health unit is also investigating a second exposure in another healthcare setting related to a probable case from outside of the region. The two cases are not directly...

Dog bite in St. Thomas on November 12

UPDATE: This dog has been found.

Southwestern Public Health is seeking help to identify a dog involved in a bite incident in St. Thomas this week.

The incident took place on November 12, 2024, at the intersection of Erie Street and Fifth Avenue in St. Thomas, ON around 2:30 PM.

The victim was walking eastbound on Erie Street and was bitten by a dog when its owner passed by. The dog is described as a medium sized, black and white in color. The animal owner is described as a female, aged 50-60,...

Flu season has arrived in the Southwestern Public Health region

One lab-confirmed case of influenza reported to public health signals official start to ‘flu season’

Southwestern Public Health has been notified of one lab-confirmed case of influenza A this week – the first such case reported to public health for the 2024-2025 respiratory season.

This confirmed case is an indication that influenza is circulating in the community, marking the start of the annual flu season in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas. “Influenza can result in...

Dog bite incident in St. Thomas on Oct. 29

Southwestern Public Health is seeking help to identify a dog involved in a bite incident in St. Thomas this week.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Kettle Creek Dog Park, located at 44070 Mapleton Line, St. Thomas, ON.

A man was bit by an off-leash dog while at the dog park. The dog is described as a black Labrador Retriever. The owner is described as female, aged 40-50, with light brown to blonde hair. The owner had two off-leash dogs – the Labrador Retriever...

Parents urged to stay up-to-date with vaccinations for children

Contacts of measles and recent case of mumps in the region prompts vaccination reminder

Contacts of a recent measles case and a cluster of mumps cases have been identified in the region. Southwestern Public Health urges parents and guardians to stay up-to-date with their child’s vaccinations, especially in relation to the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine which can prevent transmission of these diseases.

“Measles and mumps are both very contagious and can easily spread to others before...