West Nile virus (WNV) is an infection spread by mosquitoes that in some people can cause serious illness. Each year from June to October, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) coordinates a WNV prevention program, which includes surveillance of the illness in humans, surveillance of mosquitoes, and treating water in storm water catch basins and certain surface…
The Board of Health has just approved a Strategy for Ottawa Public Health (OPH) that prioritizes work with the City of Ottawa for healthy communities. OPH’s new strategic plan – Protecting our Community’s Health: Ottawa Public Health’s 2019- 2022 Strategy affirms OPH’s core mandate of health protection and promotion with a focus on prevention of…
by Councillor Theresa Kavanagh Link to Ottawa Citizen article The Hunger Games is a science fiction dystopia that sets off poverty-stricken districts against each other. It’s a theme of those who are half starved will be forced to fight with others in the same situation. In our present scenario the provincial government has taken funds…
Ottawa Public Health. Week of May 20 to 25 – Mosquitoes and ticksDownload
Refer to the “By the Numbers” infographic above or the Protecting Ottawa’s Health document that clearly highlights the tens of thousands of service interactions local public health professionals have with residents and community partners. In addition to OPH’s core work in areas such as immunization, restaurant inspections, Healthy Babies Healthy Children home visits, mental health…
If your pet spends lots of time outdoors, a tick check should be part of your daily routine. While dogs and cats cannot directly transmit Lyme disease to people, a tick may enter your home on your pet’s back and move on to bite a human. Refer to Ottawa Public Health information on ticks and…
As spring is finally arriving, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is resuming its Lyme disease program for 2019. While there are tremendous health benefits to getting out and enjoying activities in the City’s many outdoor areas, it is important that residents be aware of the risks of Lyme disease, particularly if they are in areas suitable…
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) will not be providing ongoing operating funds for Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS). We were also made aware that CTS funding was approved for Inner City Health, the Somerset West Community Health Centre (CHC), and the Sandy Hill CHC. OPH will continue…
Wild parsnip management Wild parsnip is an invasive plant that is increasingly common within the City of Ottawa in areas of uncultivated land, roadside ditches, nature trails, as well as on and surrounding rural and residential properties. Wild parsnip may pose a health risk to humans. The plant sap contains chemicals that may cause skin…
Based on feedback from the community, population data and evidence, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) worked with more than 10 community partners to create the new tools for culturally diverse populations living in Ottawa. The videos and activity guide, available at havethattalk.ca recognize people’s experiences and challenges of settling into a new country and acknowledge their…