Posts by Southwestern Public Health

Southwestern Public Health encourages small, meaningful changes by highlighting how alcohol 
impacts health, mood, and everyday well-being.

Public health units across the region express concern about the growing number of households struggling to afford basic needs, including food.

Current air quality conditions in Elgin and Oxford Counties have reached the Very High-Risk category due to wildfire smoke, with Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values at or above 10. Environment and Climate Change Canada has also issued an Air Quality Warning for the region.

On July 15, 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have issued an Orange Air Quality Warning, due to wildfire smoke affecting parts of southwestern Ontario, including Elgin County and Oxford County. Wildfire smoke is expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility across much of southern Ontario today and may continue through the week.

Environment Canada is forecasting a multi-day heat event starting Monday July, 13th and continuing into Wednesday July, 15th or Thursday July, 16th. Daytime highs will be as high as 35 degrees Celsius, with humidex values near 42. Overnight low temperatures are expected to be near 23 degrees Celsius.

Public Health wants to confirm the vaccination status of the dog to allow the victim and their health care provider to determine next steps related to rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.