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What Is Shigellosis?
Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. The disease itself is commonly referred to as dysentery. People are the only source for Shigella bacteria. It is extremely infectious, and ingestion of 10 organisms is enough to…
What is Shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection of the central nervous system, which may cause a painful rash with blisters. The varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, causes herpes zoster or shingles. After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nerves and…
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria (germ) called Group A Streptococcus. Strep throat is more common in children than adults.
What are signs and symptoms of Strep Throat?
Children with strep throat usually have a very sore throat, headache, swollen and…
Pneumococcal disease is on the rise in the Thunder Bay District... are you eligible for a FREE vaccine?
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that can lead to illnesses like pneumonias, swelling of the brain and blood infections. See more information below.
There is a FREE vaccine and…
What is Trichinosis?
Trichinosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite that is found in the muscle tissues of animals.
Who gets Trichinosis?
People who eat undercooked meat of animals infected by the parasite can develop trichinosis. Animals such as pigs, dogs, cats, rats…
What is Tularemia?
Tularemia is a rare bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Franciscella tularensis. Numerous wild animals, especially rabbits, hares, voles, muskrats, beavers, and some domestic animals act as the host for the bacteria. The disease is then transmitted to humans through…
What is Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract and occasionally the bloodstream. Most of the cases are acquired during foreign travel to underdeveloped countries. The germ that causes typhoid is a unique human strain of salmonella called Salmonella…
What is West Nile virus?
The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus which can be transferred to humans when an infected mosquito feeds. Infection may result in no symptoms, in mild illness such as ‘West Nile fever’, or in serious neurological illness such as encephalitis (swelling of the brain).…
What is Yersiniosis?
Yersiniosis (yer-sin-ee-o-sis) is a disease caused by bacteria called Yersinia. Although many species of Yersinia are found worldwide, most human illnesses are caused by Yersinia enterocolitica. Other species of Yersinia affecting humans are …
What is Flesh Eating Disease?
Flesh-eating disease is also called necrotizing fasciitis. It is an infection that rapidly destroys tissue through the layers that surrounds muscles. If left untreated, it can cause death within 12 to 24 hours. It is estimated that there are between 90 and 200 cases…
The risk of bed bug problems is higher in certain types of buildings where many different people are staying including hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast accommodations (e.g. B&Bs).
Carrying bed bugs back home with you after traveling could lead to problems in even the cleanest home. Take the proper steps to avoid bed bug hitchhikers while traveling.
The risk of bed bug problems is higher in certain types of buildings where many different people are living or staying including apartments, hostels and rooming houses.
Bed bugs are insects with oval-shaped bodies and no wings. Right now, there are no known cases of any infectious diseases being spread to people by bed bug bites.
Bed bugs are insects with oval-shaped bodies and no wings. Unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread disease. However, they are certainly a pest - feeding on blood, causing itchy bites and generally irritating their human hosts and they can cause other…