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Like public beaches, pools and other artificial recreational waters are great places to have fun and cool off in the summer. However, they can also be a breeding ground for recreational waterborne illnesses (RWIs), including a wide variety of infections such as gastrointestinal, skin, ear,…

Did you know?

1 in 4 school-aged children in Canada has a vision problem.

Children need healthy eyes to learn, read, write, see the board, be active and stay safe. It can be difficult to spot vision problems in children and left untreated, vision problems can affect a child's eye health for life…

On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse in parts of Ontario when the Moon travels between the Sun and the Earth.

The Thunder Bay District will only experience a partial solar eclipse, when the Moon will block part of the Sun around 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm (Eastern time). During…

Beach Notifications

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit will notify the public of any issues concerning beaches tested by the Health Unit. 

Beach advisories will be issued in beaches outside of Thunder Bay (with the exception of private beaches and provincial parks) when recreational water…


Our lakes are great places to relax, cool down, and have some family time during the summer. But bacterial infections such as E. coli can put a damper on the fun. Our role is to monitor public beaches within the city and district (with the exception of beaches within provincial parks) and alert…

Water – it’s not just for drinking! Kids and adults alike love to splash around in it, water ski on it, and dive down into it, especially on a hot day. But water is also an excellent place for germs to live. Whether it is outdoors at our local beaches and lakes or indoors in our pools and spas, we…

Extreme heat events due to a changing climate are a growing public health risk in Canada. Because of our cooler climate in the Thunder Bay District, we can be more susceptible to extreme heat than those who are regularly exposed to it.

Heat Illnesses

Extreme heat puts everyone at risk of heat…

Children's visual health is vital for their overall development, learning and well-being. Undetected vision issues in children can impact their ability to explore their environment, succeed in school and engage in everyday activities. It is important for caregivers to understand how to spot vision…




Year
Location
Water Sample Date
Date BGA Identified




2024
Marie Louise Lake
September 21, 2024
October 8, 2024


 
McKenzie Beach Avenue (Shuniah)
August 27, 202
August 29, 2024


 
Two Island Lake
August 22, 2024…

Blue-green algae (BGA) are microscopic organisms found naturally in lakes and streams. They are usually found in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, surface water that receives a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that make the water look like green pea soup or…

May 6, 2019 - The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is pleased to announce the launch of our Children’s Visual Health program. Mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, this new program includes school vision screening and visual health promotion. From February to June 2019, free in-…

August 23, 2019 - The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in Hawkeye Lake. The MECP continues to investigate whether the blue-green algae identified is a toxin-producing strain. When blue-green algae is present in water, it is important…

August 28, 2019 - The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has informed the Health Unit that the toxin analysis of the blue-green algae bloom on Hawkeye Lake has shown that toxins were not present in the sample. Note that this result reflects the water conditions when the lake was…

August 29, 2019 - The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in a water sample collected at the Northwest Side of Lower Shebandowan Lake on August 23, 2019. The MECP is conducting toxin analysis on the water sample. However, it is…