News

Southwestern Public Health urges vaccination this respiratory season

Individuals at high-risk of severe illness from a respiratory infection are now eligible for vaccination, with general population vaccinations to follow on October 28

 Southwestern Public has received its first shipments of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza vaccine, and public health officials are eager to see the supply out of storage freezers and into the arms of those most vulnerable to a respiratory infection this fall.

“COVID-19 is already circulating in the community, and we can expect other...

Dog bite incident in Tillsonburg on October 14th

UPDATE: DOG HAS BEEN FOUND.
Southwestern Public Health is seeking help to identify a dog involved in a bite incident in Tillsonburg this week.

The incident took place on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14th, 2024, near the intersection of Demeyere Ave and Parkwood Drive in Tillsonburg around 6:00 p.m.

The victim was walking when he passed a man and a woman walking two dogs on leashes. He approached them to say hello and went to pet the dogs but was bitten on the hand. The two people were walking...

Southwestern Public Health resumes seasonal respiratory dashboard

Online tool helps residents stay informed about local respiratory activity in Oxford County, Elgin
County, and the City of St. Thomas

 As the respiratory virus season approaches, Southwestern Public Health Unit is reintroducing its Respiratory Virus Activity Dashboard, an online tool that provides real-time updates on the spread of respiratory illnesses in the community.

This dashboard is designed to inform residents, healthcare providers, and community organizations about the prevalence of...

Boil Water Advisory for Areas of Tillsonburg

UPDATE: This boil water advisory ended on October 11, 2024 at 6:26PM

Southwestern Public Health has issued a boil water advisory to the following areas in the Town of Tillsonburg: East of Broadway to Tillson Ave, south of North Street East to Oxford Street.

The advisory was issued as a result of water sample results that indicated the presence of bacteria. While resampling is scheduled, the advisory is issued as a precaution.

The Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Joyce Lock, has advised users...

Dog bite incident in St. Thomas on Sept. 12

Southwestern Public Health is seeking assistance to identify a dog involved in a bite incident that occurred in St. Thomas on Thursday, September 12, 2024, near the intersection of Wellington St., and First Ave.

The dog is described as a large, black dog that resembled a Labrador Retriever. The individual is described as a male in his early teens, wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and black shoes. 
  
Public Health wants to confirm the vaccination status of the dog to allow the victim and their...

Southwestern Public Health accepting referrals to support eligible parents

Southwestern Public Health, in partnership with the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, is launching the free Nurse-Family Partnership this fall to support eligible individuals experiencing financial or social hardships who are pregnant with their first child or preparing to become first-time parents.

Enrolled clients will be paired with a Public Health Nurse until their child reaches two years of age. This service aims to promote healthy practices during pregnancy, develop safe and nurturing...