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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-02, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2003. PAGE 7. HU in daily consultations regarding SAKS The Huron County Health Unit is in daily consultation with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Health Canada and all 37 health units regarding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to ensure safety of Ontario residents. The health unit has been providing regular updates to the local hospitals, physicians, long-term care facilities, and the general public, keeping Huron County informed about SARS and the protective measures that are in place to help prevent the spread. Dr. Beth Henning, medical officer of health, Huron County Health Unit strongly recommends that anyone planning to travel to the City of Hanoi, Vietnam, the People’s Republic of China including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Singapore, or Taiwan should cancel their travel plans until further notice. “This includes if your plane is scheduled to stop over in any of these areas”, says Henning. “I recommend that you consider an alternate route”. On March 26 Premier Ernie Eves declared SARS a provincial emergency. Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and all 37 health units are taking steps to contain the spread of SARS and to make sure that people who have been exposed are safely isolated where they can be cared for. As of March 30, Health Canada has received reports of approximately 98 probable and suspect cases of SARS in Canada. At this time, there are no known cases of SARS in Huron County under investigation. The details of the cases to date are as follows: • In Ontario, there are approximately 81 probable and suspect cases. Forty-two (42) of these cases are probable and 39 cases are suspect; theie have been four deaths. To date, all cases occurred in close family contacts of travellers returning from Hong Kong or in health care workers who have cared for these cases. • British Columbia is reporting two probable and eight suspect cases. • New Brunswick is reporting one suspect case. • Saskatchewan is reporting one suspect case. • Alberta is reporting five suspect cases. Worldwide, as of March 29, there are a total of 1,550 cases of SARS reported and 54 deaths from 14 countries, including Canada, China, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, Switzerland, Italy, France, Romania, and the Republic of Ireland. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Singapore are the most affected regions. At this time, the cause of SARS remains unknown, however national and international laboratory testing and collaboration is ongoing. Every case that has been identified is a close contact of another case, mainly through spread in the family, to health care workers or between health care workers. There is currently no evidence of generalized spread in the community. SARS symptoms start with about one day of general muscle ache, fatigue, and overall feeling unwell. This is followed by a very high fever. In a great number of cases, the high fever is associated with chills, rigors, and cough. Symptoms may then progress to severe breathing difficulties. To help control the spread of SARS, close contacts of people with SARS, including health care workers are being asked to isolate themselves from other members of the public until at least 10 days have passed from their last contact with the ill person. As of March 26, SARS has been designated a reportable, communicable and virulent disease under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. Physicians must report to the medical officer of Health if they suspect a patient has SARS. Hospitals and long-term care facilities have infection control measures to manage and control this disease. Health Canada will continue to update the travel advisory as necessary. The information is available on the Health Canada website at http://www.hc- sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/tmp- pmv/2003/sars0325_e.html Travellers arriving in Canada from certain areas in South East Asia or arriving on flights carrying passengers from these areas are receiving yellow “Health Alert Notices”. These notices ask the traveller to call their physician if they develop symptoms compatible Doug Gough, R.I.B. (ONT.) CAIB, Manager w.ith SARS in the 10 days after their departure from South East Asia. Ongoing monitoring of the following websites will provide the latest information: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care http://www.health.gov.on.ca; Health Canada - http://www.hc- sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/sars- sras/index.html; CDC http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ and World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/en If you have any questions about SARS or require additional information, do not hesitate to contact the ' Huron County Health Unit by calling (519) 482- 3416 or if long distance, dial 1-877- 837-6143. IVES INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. - BLYTH OFFICE 184 Dinsley St. W. Box 428 Blyth, ON N0M1H0 Tel: (519) 523-9655 Fax: (519) 523-9793 All Classes of Insurance WWW.IVESINSURANCE.COM HCMG names new co-ordinator Tony deBoer, chair of the Huron County Manufacturing Group (HCMG) announced the appointment of Monica Walker- Bolton to the position of manufacturing co-ordinator. The HCMG was created in response to needs identified in a 1998-1999 study spearheaded by local manufacturers and municipal officials. Since that time, a number of important objectives have been achieved through the dedication of a core group of Huron County manufacturers, municipal leaders and partner agencies. Recent group achievements include the creation of the position of manufacturing co-ordinator, and the Huron Manufacturing Group website. “This is an exciting time for me to be hired as the co-ordinator with the HCMG. We are about to host the official launch of the Huron Manufacturing website, and it’s generating a lot of interest, which I hope to build upon.” Walker-Bolton brings to this position creative marketing experience gained while creating web-based promotional materials for the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. She also brings a strong ability to build consensus with experience as a group facilitator for strategic planning with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Walker-Bolton has demonstrated a commitment to her community through volunteer work. She is excited about working with young people in her new role. “ The fact is, our community needs to improve the strength of the labour force in manufacturing. I think it is important for young people to see that we have great jobs, right here, in the manufacturing sector. You don’t have to leave here to find a rewarding career.” The Huron County Manufacturing Group will be hosting a dinner on April 9 at the Ridge Restaurant in Exeter to celebrate the official launch of the new website. The evening begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. Dinner is $15 and all attendees are invited to RSVP by April 2 to Nina Reynolds at 524-2188. Guests and spouses are welcome. Brussels Optimist Club 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner & Auction Saturday, April 5th Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre Proceeds to Jesse's Journey - The Foundation For Gene Cell Therapy and to Brussels and Area Community Betterment Like this Mom The junior kindergarten students at Blyth Public School showed off their portfolios for moms and dads at a special evening on Thursday. Chantal Van Schaik, with her mom Ellen, does a little playdough demonstration. (Vicky Bremner) Special Guest Speaker: John Davidson Founder of Jesse's Journey Doors open at 5:30 p.m. to view auction items with dinner commencing at 6:30 p.m. with live auction to follow. Everyone at the dinner will have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to win a 3 night stay at the Flamingo in Las Vegas as well as 2 Mezzanine level tickets to see Celine Dion live in concert in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Donations for the Live or Silent Auction would be greatly appreciated. Please contact: Gerry Wheeler 887-6233, George Langlois 887-6727, Kevin Deitner 887-6502, Doug McArter 887-6963. TICKETS ARE ONLY $20. PER PERSON AND AVAILABLE FROM ANY OPTIMIST MEMBER OR THE PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE.