REGION OF WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH NEWSLETTER
HEALTH IN ACTION
HEALTH
Breastfeeding is Best
Breastfeeding is the best method of feeding
your infant. Breastfeeding also offers
many benefits for mom, the family, and the
environment:
■■
■■
Healthy
Smiles
A healthy smile is part of a healthy
body. Yet, for some, dental care may
not be affordable. Healthy Smiles
Ontario (HSO) is a new program
children and youth aged 17 and
under who do not have any dental
coverage. If eligible, children and
youth will receive regular dental
services at no cost to their family.
Children and youth (under age 17) may be eligible if:
They are residents of Ontario
2. They are members of a household with an
Adjusted Family Net Income of $20,000 per
year or below, and
3. They do not have any dental coverage
1.
Region of Waterloo Public is working with three
local Community Health Centres to provide
preventive care and health promotion at these
community sites. Services will also be available at
Region of Waterloo Public
Health dental clinics in
Waterloo and Cambridge,
and from local dental
providers.
■■
■■
Human breast milk promotes optimal
growth and development of a baby’s
brain, and immune system
Babies who are breastfed are at a
decreased risk for common illnesses,
especially diarrhea and infections of
the respiratory tract, ear, and urinary
tract
Mom benefits from breastfeeding
too—evidence shows that
breastfeeding reduces a women’s risk
of breast and ovarian cancers.
Breastfeeding saves money—costing
5–6 times less than artificial baby milk
Health Canada recommends exclusive
breastfeeding (feeding only breast milk and
vitamins or medicine) for the first six months
Health care providers work together with
new moms to support their breastfeeding
experience. Breastfeeding classes are offered
to pregnant women. Teaching and support
are provided in hospital and in the community
after the baby is born. Peer support is
available through the group ‘Breastfeeding
Buddies’ and the ‘La Leche League.’
Breastfeeding Resources
Pamphlets available at no cost:
■■
■■
Breastfeeding support in Waterloo Region
Ten valuable tips for successful breastfeeding
Partners supporting breastfeeding
Resources available for borrowing at no cost:
■■
■■
■■
■■
14 steps to better breastfeeding (DVD)
Womanly art of breastfeeding (book)
Breastfeeding: how to breastfeed your baby (book)
Best Gifts (children’s book)
Contact Resource Centre staff at
519-883-2256 for more information.
To find o
ut more
about
the eligib
ility requ
ired for
HSO, vis
it www.o
ntario.
ca/health
ysmiles o
r call
Region o
f Waterlo
o
Public
Health at
519-883-2
2
22,
and selec
t option
#1
SPRING/SUMMER 2011
The Public Health Department
works to build healthy and
supportive communities by
promoting and protecting health
and preventing disease.
Health in Action is our Public
Health newsletter which is
published two times per year. It
contains articles and tips that I
hope you will find useful.
To speak with a nurse about breastfeeding
or breastfeeding support services available
in Waterloo Region, call the Healthy Children
Information Line at 519-883-2245. For available
resources about breastfeeding, contact our Public
Health Resource Centre staff at 519-883-2256 or
[email protected] for more information.
New Resources
■■
in Action
of your baby’s life. Adding additional foods
are recommended only after six months of
age, with breastfeeding continuing for up to
two years and beyond.
The Public Health Resource Centre is a free lending library for anyone who lives,
works, or goes to school in Waterloo Region. Teaching kits, displays, DVDs, videos,
laminated posters, and books are available to borrow. A variety of pamphlets are
available to keep.
Bed bugs!
For more information about any
of the programs or services in
this newsletter, or for information
about other services that we offer,
please contact us at 519-883-2000
or visit our website at
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph
—Dr. Liana Nolan
Feedback
We welcome your feedback and suggestions about this
newsletter. Please use the contact information below to share
your thoughts with us.
Please contact Region of Waterloo Public Health if you need
more information, would like to speak to a Public Health
professional, schedule an appointment, or order resources.
Region of Waterloo Public Health
99 Regina Street South
Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4V3
519-883-2000 Fax 519-883-2241
TTY: 519-883-2427
n
Region of Waterloo Public Health
150 Main Street
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 6P9
519-883-2000 Fax 519-621-5967
n
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph
In this
issue…
Bed bugs!
Reports of bed bug
infestations are on the rise in Waterloo Region
Working outdoors?
Life’s a beach!
Lyme Disease
Changes to Prebirth
and Postbirth Clinics
Healthy Smiles
Breastfeeding is Best
New Resources:
Breastfeeding
Resources
Bed bugs are small, brownish insects, about the
size of an apple seed, which feed solely on blood.
Individual bed bug bites are usually painless,
despite leaving small visible puncture marks on
the skin. Bed bug bites do not usually require any
medical treatment. Even though bed bugs do not
carry disease, they can cause significant stress and
anxiety.
Bed bug infestations are increasing around the
world, and in our own community. In general,
infestations are most common in urban multi-unit
dwellings, but they can also occur in a variety of
other locations including hotels, hospitals, group
homes, and movie theatres.
An integrated pest management program is
usually required to prevent and manage bed bug
infestations. This means that chemicals alone are
rarely enough to eliminate a bed bug infestation, and a
number of additional measures are generally needed.
The Ontario government recently launched a new
website (www.bedbugsinfo.ca) that includes a range of
information, tools, and resources that address how to
“identify, act and prevent” bed bugs.
Region of Waterloo Public Health is working with health
professionals, and municipal and community partners to
develop strategies to help prevent, identify, and control
bed bugs in our community.
For more information about bed bugs,
please visit www.bedbugsinfo.ca or call
519-883-2008, ext. 5147, and ask to speak
with a Public Health Inspector.
Lyme disease
Working outdoors?
Did you know that if you work outdoors you have a higher
risk of developing skin cancer, eye cancer, and cataracts?
Working outdoors regularly exposes you to the damaging
effects of the sun for long periods.
As an outdoor worker you can, and should, take some simple steps to
protect yourself:
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans
and animals when they are bitten by an infected blacklegged
tick, sometimes referred to as a deer tick.
Seek out shade on your lunch and coffee breaks
Slip on sun-protective clothing. Choose long pants and
long sleeve shirts with collars
In Ontario, established colonies of
blacklegged ticks have been found in Long
Point Provincial Park, Turkey Point, Point
Pelee National Park, Rondeau Provincial Park
and Wainfleet bog conservation area. Ticks
can be found in tall grasses, wooded areas
and marshlands. They attach themselves
to humans and animals that are passing
through these areas.
Slop on SPF 30 sunscreen and lip balm. Don’t forget to
reapply it every two hours
Slap on a broad-brimmed hat at least 8 centimetres wide.
If you wear a hard hat, attach a back flap and visor to it
Slide on sun glasses. Choose close fitting wrap around
styles with UVA UVB protection.
For more information about sun protection,
contact Anne Marie Ramsay, RN, at 519-740-5793
ext. 3494, [email protected] or visit the
following websites: www.dermatology.ca, Canadian
Dermatology Society, www.cancer.ca
Tick at actual size
3–5 mm
Blacklegged ticks are about the size of a
sesame seed. As they feed on a host (human
or animal), they slowly become larger in
size and can be seen more easily. Once
the bacteria enters the bloodstream of the
human, Lyme disease can develop. Usually
the tick must be attached for 24 hours or
more before transmission of disease takes
place.
It can take anywhere from 3–32 days for
symptoms of the disease to appear, but on
average symptoms begin within 7–10 days.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
include:
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if they
are taken soon after infection. If left untreated the
disease can last up to several months and include:
nervous system disorders, multiple skin rashes,
arthritis and arthritic symptoms, heart palpitations,
extreme fatigue and general weakness.
How do I prevent Lyme disease?
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Changes to Prebirth
and Postbirth Clinics
Life’s a beach!
There have been no increases in provincial Healthy Babies Healthy Children
(HBHC) funding for the past three years. Because of this, Region of Waterloo’s
Child and Family Health Assessment Unit had to make changes to the prebirth
and postbirth clinic services.
There’s nothing like a day at the beach, but before you hit the
water for a swim, read the signs! If you swim when the water
is contaminated, you can get sick.
To help you stay healthy, public health
inspectors and the Grand River
Conservation Authority check the
conditions at the beach and the quality
of the bathing water at Shades Mill
Conservation Area and Laurel Creek
Conservation Area, every week.
When the weekly sample reveals high
levels of bacteria, the beach will be
posted with a warning sign. Beaches
are ‘posted’ when levels of E. coli exceed
Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines.
High bacteria levels can increase a
swimmer’s risk of developing irritations
and infections. The most common
problems are minor skin, eye, ear, nose
and throat infections and stomach
disorders. Public Health discourages
swimming when beaches are posted.
What do moms and service
What do moms and service
providers need to know about providers need to know
about the changes to prebirth
the postbirth changes?
Postbirth clinics are no longer offered on the clinics?
It’s important to note that a beach
‘posting’ is different from a ‘closure’.
Occasionally, beaches may be closed
due to chemical or sewage spills or
due to growth of Blue Green Algae.
weekends. Instead, more clinics have been
added on Mondays and Fridays.
All new moms will continue to receive a
postbirth clinic appointment.
Have fun,
but swim
safe!
REGION OF WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH NEWSLETTER
■■
Most moms will continue to be seen at
48 hours after discharge. However, some
moms will now be seen at 24 hours after
hospital discharge and others at 72 hours
after discharge.
There were also some changes made to
prebirth clinics.
indicates that beaches
are open
indicates that beaches are
bacteriologically unsafe
indicates that no data
was collected
■■
It is important that all pregnant women
continue to go to the hospital to
preregister but appointments for prebirth
clinics will now only be offered to moms
if they are:
––First-time moms
––Teen moms
––Moms with a language barrier
––Moms having their first baby in Canada
These changes to our clinic services will allow
Region of Waterloo Public Health to continue
to offer HBHC services and to minimize any
further cuts to the program in 2011.
We are committed
to working with our
community partners
to provide the
best service
possible to our
prenatal and
postpartum
clients with
the resources
currently
available.
For more information, please
contact Cathy Dean, Assessment
Unit Manager, 519-740-5793 ext. 7019
a painless round red rash
that looks like a bull’s eye
fever
headache
muscle aches
stiffness of the neck
■■
Do not walk barelegged in tall grass, wooded areas
or marshlands
Wear long sleeved shirts and pants
Wear light coloured clothing—this will help you to
spot ticks more easily
Tuck any loose clothing into socks and wear fullyclosed shoes or boots
Use insect repellent that contains DEET on skin
and outer clothing. Read the label before using any
repellent, especially when using it on young children
Check for ticks after any outdoor activities. Tick
bites are often painless so you may be unaware
that you have been bitten
What do I do if I find a tick?
■■
■■
■■
■■
Carefully remove attached ticks using tweezers.
Grasp the tick’s head and mouth parts as close to
the skin as possible and pull slowly until the tick is
removed. Do not twist or rotate the tick and try not
to squash or crush the tick during removal
After the tick is removed wash the bite site with
soap and water or disinfect it
You may be submit the tick to Region of Waterloo
Public Health for identification and testing
Contact a doctor if you develop symptoms of Lyme
disease
Can my dog get Lyme Disease?
Yes, dogs can get Lyme Disease. Consult with a
veterinarian for precautions to take when planning a
trip with your dog to a tick established area. Check
your pet for ticks after visiting a tick established area.
Submit any tick found on your pet to your veterinarian
for identification. Should your pet show any signs of
illness contact your veterinarian.
For more information on Lyme
disease, call Public Health at
519-883-2008 ext. 5147 or speak with
your family physician. You can also visit
www.regionofwaterloo/ph or
www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/
publications/disease/lyme.aspx
HEALTH IN ACTION
Lyme disease
Working outdoors?
Did you know that if you work outdoors you have a higher
risk of developing skin cancer, eye cancer, and cataracts?
Working outdoors regularly exposes you to the damaging
effects of the sun for long periods.
As an outdoor worker you can, and should, take some simple steps to
protect yourself:
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans
and animals when they are bitten by an infected blacklegged
tick, sometimes referred to as a deer tick.
Seek out shade on your lunch and coffee breaks
Slip on sun-protective clothing. Choose long pants and
long sleeve shirts with collars
In Ontario, established colonies of
blacklegged ticks have been found in Long
Point Provincial Park, Turkey Point, Point
Pelee National Park, Rondeau Provincial Park
and Wainfleet bog conservation area. Ticks
can be found in tall grasses, wooded areas
and marshlands. They attach themselves
to humans and animals that are passing
through these areas.
Slop on SPF 30 sunscreen and lip balm. Don’t forget to
reapply it every two hours
Slap on a broad-brimmed hat at least 8 centimetres wide.
If you wear a hard hat, attach a back flap and visor to it
Slide on sun glasses. Choose close fitting wrap around
styles with UVA UVB protection.
For more information about sun protection,
contact Anne Marie Ramsay, RN, at 519-740-5793
ext. 3494, [email protected] or visit the
following websites: www.dermatology.ca, Canadian
Dermatology Society, www.cancer.ca
Tick at actual size
3–5 mm
Blacklegged ticks are about the size of a
sesame seed. As they feed on a host (human
or animal), they slowly become larger in
size and can be seen more easily. Once
the bacteria enters the bloodstream of the
human, Lyme disease can develop. Usually
the tick must be attached for 24 hours or
more before transmission of disease takes
place.
It can take anywhere from 3–32 days for
symptoms of the disease to appear, but on
average symptoms begin within 7–10 days.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
include:
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if they
are taken soon after infection. If left untreated the
disease can last up to several months and include:
nervous system disorders, multiple skin rashes,
arthritis and arthritic symptoms, heart palpitations,
extreme fatigue and general weakness.
How do I prevent Lyme disease?
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
Changes to Prebirth
and Postbirth Clinics
Life’s a beach!
There have been no increases in provincial Healthy Babies Healthy Children
(HBHC) funding for the past three years. Because of this, Region of Waterloo’s
Child and Family Health Assessment Unit had to make changes to the prebirth
and postbirth clinic services.
There’s nothing like a day at the beach, but before you hit the
water for a swim, read the signs! If you swim when the water
is contaminated, you can get sick.
To help you stay healthy, public health
inspectors and the Grand River
Conservation Authority check the
conditions at the beach and the quality
of the bathing water at Shades Mill
Conservation Area and Laurel Creek
Conservation Area, every week.
When the weekly sample reveals high
levels of bacteria, the beach will be
posted with a warning sign. Beaches
are ‘posted’ when levels of E. coli exceed
Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines.
High bacteria levels can increase a
swimmer’s risk of developing irritations
and infections. The most common
problems are minor skin, eye, ear, nose
and throat infections and stomach
disorders. Public Health discourages
swimming when beaches are posted.
What do moms and service
What do moms and service
providers need to know about providers need to know
about the changes to prebirth
the postbirth changes?
Postbirth clinics are no longer offered on the clinics?
It’s important to note that a beach
‘posting’ is different from a ‘closure’.
Occasionally, beaches may be closed
due to chemical or sewage spills or
due to growth of Blue Green Algae.
weekends. Instead, more clinics have been
added on Mondays and Fridays.
All new moms will continue to receive a
postbirth clinic appointment.
Have fun,
but swim
safe!
REGION OF WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH NEWSLETTER
■■
Most moms will continue to be seen at
48 hours after discharge. However, some
moms will now be seen at 24 hours after
hospital discharge and others at 72 hours
after discharge.
There were also some changes made to
prebirth clinics.
indicates that beaches
are open
indicates that beaches are
bacteriologically unsafe
indicates that no data
was collected
■■
It is important that all pregnant women
continue to go to the hospital to
preregister but appointments for prebirth
clinics will now only be offered to moms
if they are:
––First-time moms
––Teen moms
––Moms with a language barrier
––Moms having their first baby in Canada
These changes to our clinic services will allow
Region of Waterloo Public Health to continue
to offer HBHC services and to minimize any
further cuts to the program in 2011.
We are committed
to working with our
community partners
to provide the
best service
possible to our
prenatal and
postpartum
clients with
the resources
currently
available.
For more information, please
contact Cathy Dean, Assessment
Unit Manager, 519-740-5793 ext. 7019
a painless round red rash
that looks like a bull’s eye
fever
headache
muscle aches
stiffness of the neck
■■
Do not walk barelegged in tall grass, wooded areas
or marshlands
Wear long sleeved shirts and pants
Wear light coloured clothing—this will help you to
spot ticks more easily
Tuck any loose clothing into socks and wear fullyclosed shoes or boots
Use insect repellent that contains DEET on skin
and outer clothing. Read the label before using any
repellent, especially when using it on young children
Check for ticks after any outdoor activities. Tick
bites are often painless so you may be unaware
that you have been bitten
What do I do if I find a tick?
■■
■■
■■
■■
Carefully remove attached ticks using tweezers.
Grasp the tick’s head and mouth parts as close to
the skin as possible and pull slowly until the tick is
removed. Do not twist or rotate the tick and try not
to squash or crush the tick during removal
After the tick is removed wash the bite site with
soap and water or disinfect it
You may be submit the tick to Region of Waterloo
Public Health for identification and testing
Contact a doctor if you develop symptoms of Lyme
disease
Can my dog get Lyme Disease?
Yes, dogs can get Lyme Disease. Consult with a
veterinarian for precautions to take when planning a
trip with your dog to a tick established area. Check
your pet for ticks after visiting a tick established area.
Submit any tick found on your pet to your veterinarian
for identification. Should your pet show any signs of
illness contact your veterinarian.
For more information on Lyme
disease, call Public Health at
519-883-2008 ext. 5147 or speak with
your family physician. You can also visit
www.regionofwaterloo/ph or
www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/
publications/disease/lyme.aspx
HEALTH IN ACTION
REGION OF WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH NEWSLETTER
HEALTH IN ACTION
HEALTH
Breastfeeding is Best
Breastfeeding is the best method of feeding
your infant. Breastfeeding also offers
many benefits for mom, the family, and the
environment:
■■
■■
Healthy
Smiles
A healthy smile is part of a healthy
body. Yet, for some, dental care may
not be affordable. Healthy Smiles
Ontario (HSO) is a new program
children and youth aged 17 and
under who do not have any dental
coverage. If eligible, children and
youth will receive regular dental
services at no cost to their family.
Children and youth (under age 17) may be eligible if:
They are residents of Ontario
2. They are members of a household with an
Adjusted Family Net Income of $20,000 per
year or below, and
3. They do not have any dental coverage
1.
Region of Waterloo Public is working with three
local Community Health Centres to provide
preventive care and health promotion at these
community sites. Services will also be available at
Region of Waterloo Public
Health dental clinics in
Waterloo and Cambridge,
and from local dental
providers.
■■
■■
Human breast milk promotes optimal
growth and development of a baby’s
brain, and immune system
Babies who are breastfed are at a
decreased risk for common illnesses,
especially diarrhea and infections of
the respiratory tract, ear, and urinary
tract
Mom benefits from breastfeeding
too—evidence shows that
breastfeeding reduces a women’s risk
of breast and ovarian cancers.
Breastfeeding saves money—costing
5–6 times less than artificial baby milk
Health Canada recommends exclusive
breastfeeding (feeding only breast milk and
vitamins or medicine) for the first six months
Health care providers work together with
new moms to support their breastfeeding
experience. Breastfeeding classes are offered
to pregnant women. Teaching and support
are provided in hospital and in the community
after the baby is born. Peer support is
available through the group ‘Breastfeeding
Buddies’ and the ‘La Leche League.’
Breastfeeding Resources
Pamphlets available at no cost:
■■
■■
Breastfeeding support in Waterloo Region
Ten valuable tips for successful breastfeeding
Partners supporting breastfeeding
Resources available for borrowing at no cost:
■■
■■
■■
■■
14 steps to better breastfeeding (DVD)
Womanly art of breastfeeding (book)
Breastfeeding: how to breastfeed your baby (book)
Best Gifts (children’s book)
Contact Resource Centre staff at
519-883-2256 for more information.
To find o
ut more
about
the eligib
ility requ
ired for
HSO, vis
it www.o
ntario.
ca/health
ysmiles o
r call
Region o
f Waterlo
o
Public
Health at
519-883-2
2
22,
and selec
t option
#1
SPRING/SUMMER 2011
The Public Health Department
works to build healthy and
supportive communities by
promoting and protecting health
and preventing disease.
Health in Action is our Public
Health newsletter which is
published two times per year. It
contains articles and tips that I
hope you will find useful.
To speak with a nurse about breastfeeding
or breastfeeding support services available
in Waterloo Region, call the Healthy Children
Information Line at 519-883-2245. For available
resources about breastfeeding, contact our Public
Health Resource Centre staff at 519-883-2256 or
[email protected] for more information.
New Resources
■■
in Action
of your baby’s life. Adding additional foods
are recommended only after six months of
age, with breastfeeding continuing for up to
two years and beyond.
The Public Health Resource Centre is a free lending library for anyone who lives,
works, or goes to school in Waterloo Region. Teaching kits, displays, DVDs, videos,
laminated posters, and books are available to borrow. A variety of pamphlets are
available to keep.
Bed bugs!
For more information about any
of the programs or services in
this newsletter, or for information
about other services that we offer,
please contact us at 519-883-2000
or visit our website at
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph
—Dr. Liana Nolan
Feedback
We welcome your feedback and suggestions about this
newsletter. Please use the contact information below to share
your thoughts with us.
Please contact Region of Waterloo Public Health if you need
more information, would like to speak to a Public Health
professional, schedule an appointment, or order resources.
Region of Waterloo Public Health
99 Regina Street South
Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4V3
519-883-2000 Fax 519-883-2241
TTY: 519-883-2427
n
Region of Waterloo Public Health
150 Main Street
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 6P9
519-883-2000 Fax 519-621-5967
n
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph
In this
issue…
Bed bugs!
Reports of bed bug
infestations are on the rise in Waterloo Region
Working outdoors?
Life’s a beach!
Lyme Disease
Changes to Prebirth
and Postbirth Clinics
Healthy Smiles
Breastfeeding is Best
New Resources:
Breastfeeding
Resources
Bed bugs are small, brownish insects, about the
size of an apple seed, which feed solely on blood.
Individual bed bug bites are usually painless,
despite leaving small visible puncture marks on
the skin. Bed bug bites do not usually require any
medical treatment. Even though bed bugs do not
carry disease, they can cause significant stress and
anxiety.
Bed bug infestations are increasing around the
world, and in our own community. In general,
infestations are most common in urban multi-unit
dwellings, but they can also occur in a variety of
other locations including hotels, hospitals, group
homes, and movie theatres.
An integrated pest management program is
usually required to prevent and manage bed bug
infestations. This means that chemicals alone are
rarely enough to eliminate a bed bug infestation, and a
number of additional measures are generally needed.
The Ontario government recently launched a new
website (www.bedbugsinfo.ca) that includes a range of
information, tools, and resources that address how to
“identify, act and prevent” bed bugs.
Region of Waterloo Public Health is working with health
professionals, and municipal and community partners to
develop strategies to help prevent, identify, and control
bed bugs in our community.
For more information about bed bugs,
please visit www.bedbugsinfo.ca or call
519-883-2008, ext. 5147, and ask to speak
with a Public Health Inspector.