News

Boil Water Advisory for Areas of Rodney

Update: On July 26, 2024, this boil water advisory was rescinded after recent samples were taken with satisfactory results.Southwestern Public Health has issued a boil water advisory to the Town of Rodney in West Elgin, including Pioneer Line from Wellington Street in West Lorne to Furnival Road in Rodney, Catherine Road, and the Town of Rodney. The advisory was issued as a result of water sample results that indicated the presence of bacteria. While resampling is scheduled, the advisory is...

Second story in Vital Perspectives series tackles climate change

Southwestern Public Health using storytelling and statistics in Vital Perspectives series to encourage resilient communities for future generations

Climate change is a health emergency that has far-reaching impacts – particularly for vulnerable individuals – and requires communities to become resilient to our changing environment. This is the message of the second segment in the four-part Vital Perspectives storytelling series from Southwestern Public Health.

Extreme weather, poor air quality,...

Two SWPH-led proposals endorsed by alPHa as adoptable strategies for other health unit regions

Southwestern Public Health is working with the Association of Local Public Health Agencies on proposals for supportive living regulations & a comprehensive alcohol strategy

Southwestern Public Health is working closely with Ontario’s Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) on upstream health strategies that can be adopted in other health unit regions to reduce alcohol-related harms and improve supportive living regulations for vulnerable people.

The health unit representing Oxford...

Southwestern Public Health Warns of Rising Cases of Pertussis in the Region

June 6th, 2024

Update: 

Here is some additional information about pertussis along with a recording of what 'whooping cough' sounds like in young children. Pertussis can begin as a mild fever, runny nose, with red watery eyes and a cough. It leads to serious coughing fits that may cause breathing difficulty, choking or vomiting. Symptoms for infants include: severe cough, choking after coughing, feeding poorly, and having difficulty breathing. Complications for infants can include: vomiting, weight...

SWPH Board votes against voluntary merger

Board of Health explored a three-way merger with Brant County Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit as part of Ontario’s Strengthening Public Health Strategy

The Southwestern Public Health Board of Health has voted against voluntarily merging with Brant County Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit after completing a comprehensive feasibility assessment into a proposed three-way merger.

The three health units began exploring potential alignment options in connection with Ontario’s

SWPH investigating illnesses at a high school staff event in St. Thomas

Southwestern Public Health has been working closely with Thames Valley District School Board to investigate a group of illnesses from a catered staff event at Parkside Collegiate Institute on April 8th. Approximately half of the nearly 100 faculty who attended developed gastrointestinal symptoms shortly after the event took place. No severe illnesses were identified, and students were not present at the event.

Food samples from the caterer found no evidence of bacterial contamination, such as...