Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) has started the annual process of enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) to ensure students are protected against vaccine preventable diseases. Students who do not meet the ISPA requirements could face a 20-day school suspension. All mailed notices will be sent well before deadlines to give families ample time to update student vaccine records and avoid suspension.

Parents and caregivers reminded to keep children and themselves up to date with routine immunizations. Pregnant individuals are also a group of emphasis.

The province has seen a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. While the rates of pertussis in the District of Thunder Bay are currently below the provincial average, reported cases have increased over the past months locally and it is anticipated that this trend will continue.

Rapid antigen tests are no longer available at Provincial Public Health locations

Rapid tests are now only available to a specific group of people.

If you develop symptoms and you are eligible for a publicly-funded test, we recommend you contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to find out about test availability.

The Community Addictions Peer Support Association (CAPSA) recently honoured Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) with their Employer Allyship Award. CAPSA is a national organization committed to addressing stigma and working alongside organizations to enhance substance use health through education, research, and policy change.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Marie Louise Lake on September 21, 2024. Marie Louise Lake is located in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, approximately 85 km east of Thunder Bay, on Highway 587.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

TBDHU encourages everyone to protect themselves from seasonal illnesses by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu as soon as they become available to them.

Vaccines are now available to those who are at higher risk of severe illness from an infection, while everyone else becomes eligible on October 28.

Those who are at a higher risk of severe illness includes, but is not limited to:

TBDHU has launched a new secure online form to make providing consent for school-based vaccines easier and more convenient for parents and guardians across Thunder Bay District. The new online form takes minutes to complete, can be viewed on a mobile phone, and is available in English and French.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Poplar Lodge Park, Lake Nipigon, on August 26, 2024. Poplar Lodge Park, Lake Nipigon is located approximately 80 kms north of Nipigon, off Hwy 11.

Water should be avoided whenever a BGA bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away. It is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

- using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Kenogamisis Lake on August 15, 2024. Specifically, this sample was taken from Barton Way on the west side of the bridge into Geraldton.

Water should be avoided whenever a blue-green algae bloom is present, and for about 2 weeks after it has gone away.

When BGA is present in water, it is important to avoid:

- drinking the water;

-using it for household purposes; or

- swimming in it.

TBDHU have been advised by Norwest CHC (via the Lifeguard App) that multiple people have been admitted to hospital due to the presence of rat poison in turquoise fentanyl being sold in the region.