The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) has launched its 2026 syphilis awareness campaign in response to high rates of syphilis in the region.

Syphilis is a treatable bacterial infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact, or from a pregnant parent to their baby. Symptoms of syphilis are often subtle and easily missed. However, untreated syphilis infections can lead to major health complications that can affect the brain, heart, bones, or blood vessels, and even lead to death.

Canadian culture is strongly influenced by diet culture — a set of beliefs that promotes a narrow idea of health and body size, often linking physical appearance to personal worth. Diet culture encourages unrealistic body standards and places heavy emphasis on food rules and weight-focused goals. By labelling food and bodies as “good” or “bad” or “healthy” or “unhealthy”, it can contribute to shame, guilt, and strained relationships with food and body image. 

The Thunder Bay District Board of Health has elected its leadership for 2026 at the Annual General Meeting held today, January 21, 2026. James McPherson was re-elected as Chair. Don Smith was re-elected as Vice-Chair. 

Board of Health membership for 2026 is as follows:

Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is strongly recommending that adults make sure they are up to date with their pneumococcal vaccine, especially individuals who are 50 years of age and older and are eligible for the vaccine.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Ontario partners introduced a new framework to support public health units to prevent gender-based violence and create the conditions for safe, healthy, and equitable relationships.

November 14, 2025 - The Superior Mental Wellness @ Work Advisory Group has unveiled a new multi-media campaign: Small effort. Giant impact, which inspires workplace leaders and coworkers to recognize that small gestures of compassion can make a big difference to someone struggling with their mental health.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae (BGA) in a water sample collected at Hazelwood Lake on September 24, 2025. Hazelwood Lake is located approximately 25km northwest of Thunder Bay.

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 Icarus lake on August 29, 2025. The bloom was observed throughout most of the lake. Icarus Lake is located approximately 100km southwest of Thunder Bay on Highway 588.

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:

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 20, 2025. The bloom is located in the Southwest Arm of the lake, just before Geraldton.

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:

Thunder Bay District Health Unit has launched “Parents Like Us”, a locally informed and designed resource for families and caregivers of youth with substance use challenges.