10 confirmed cases of the flu in Durham Region so far this flu season
December 12th, 2012 | Comments (0)
The flu virus is active in Durham Region. Officials with the Health Department say there have been 10 confirmed cases so far. Senior Public Health Inspector Anne Grant says the best way to protect yourself is with a flu shot, which is available from your doctor and several participating pharmacies. Grant also says to frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water and stay home if you feel sick. Click for more tips on beating the flu.
Lawsuit against ORNGE by a former employee is settled out of court
December 12th, 2012 | Comments (0)
A settlement has been reached between ORNGE and a former employee. Lisa Kirbie claims she was fired from the troubled air ambulance agency, because she was a whistleblower. Details of the settlement are confidential and the suit was settled before any of the allegations could be heard in court. ORNGE is currently the subject of a number of government and police probes for financial irregularities.
Five varieties of pizzas distributed by Nestle Canada being recalled
December 12th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Five varieties of Buitoni brand pizzas are being recalled by Nestle Canada because they may contain pieces of metal. The products are products of Germany but were distributed across Canada. The brands included in the recall are Buitoni Funghi Rustico, Buitoni Margherita, Buitoni Pepperoni Diavolo, Buitoni Pollo Toscano and Buitoni Spinaci Fresca. There have been no reported consumer complaints and the CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. According to one website there have been two complaints in Europe. For more information click here.
Mixed nuts recalled over salmonella concerns
December 12th, 2012 | Comments (0)
The public is being warned to not eat certain Golden Boy Brand in-shell mixed nuts. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns the product may be contaminated with salmonella. The nuts were sold in 1.36 kilogram mesh bags, across Canada. There have been no reported illnesses associated with eating this product. Fore more information click here.
Inspirational quotes from elderly patients adourn a car for the Whitby Hospital Foundation
December 9th, 2012 | Comments (0)
There’s a new wave of inspiration on the roads. The Whitby Hospital Foundation has covered a car with words of wisdom from elderly patient. Social worker Christine Lamz says this was a way of giving back and it’s the centrepiece of Hospital Foundation events and then be donated to the Kidney Foundation. The car will travel to various retirement homes and hospital foundation events.
Protest at Lakeridge Health Oshawa
December 8th, 2012 | Comments (0)
The Ontario council of hospital unions held a protest on Friday at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, against a proposed bill by the provincial government. The union is fighting to keep their independent collective bargaining and arbitration rights. President, Michael Hurley worries that without those rights, health care workers may become tangled in numerous labour disputes. The protest was the first in a series of events aimed at stopping the legislation.
Superbug outbreaks causing health experts to become concerned
December 6th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Two recent superbug infections at Toronto-area hospitals have infection control experts concerned. Both outbreaks are now over, and only came to light because the teams fighting them have released scientific papers. The occurrences both involved the NDM1 enzyme, which creates bacteria resistant to almost all antibiotics. Health experts say while antibiotic resistant bugs have been a concern for years, this type of superbug is an entirely different threat.
Loblaw brand In-Shell Mixed nuts recalled
December 3rd, 2012 | Comments (0)
Consumers are being warned of a nut recall. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling Loblaw brand In-Shell Mixed Nuts over possible salmonella contamination. The nuts were sold in 454-gram and 1.36-kilogram packages across Canada. There have been no illnesses associated with consuming this product, but the CFIA warns salmonella can cause serious and even deadly infections. For more information about the recall, click here.
New services for lung disease sufferers in Durham
December 2nd, 2012 | Comments (0)
A partnership between the Lung Association and the Abilities Centre is helping to improve services available to Durham residents living with lung disease. Two new programs have launched, including an exercise program, and a healthy living support group. Director of respiratory health programs, Carole Madeley says this area has more than its fair share of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease sufferers. Madeley says it’s really important that people who suffer with lung disease continue to exercise and manage their illness. The supervised exercise maintenance program is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Abilities Centre. For more information call 905-665-8500 ext. 113. The Breathworks support group is held monthly at the Abilities Centre. For more information call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), or visit http://www.on.lung.ca/.
Banana Boat sunscreen recall expanded by Health Canada
November 27th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Health Canada has expanded the recall of a popular line of sunscreen products. The agency says consumers should check Banana Boat sunscreen products in their travel kits and at cottages to see if they are subject to the recall. The products can ignite on the skin if a user is exposed to an open flame or spark before the sunscreen has dried. Five reports of such events have been reported, one in Canada and four in the United States.
Child advocates argue poverty rates could be lowered by eliminating certain tax credits and benefits
November 21st, 2012 | Comments (0)
Child poverty advocates are urging Ottawa to get rid of several tax credits, in order to increase the child benefit supplement. Low-income families currently get about $3,500 a year, through the supplement. Campaign 2000 says that can be increased to $5,400 if the federal government eliminated the Universal Child Care Benefit, the Child Tax Benefit and the Child Fitness Tax Credit. The organization claims doing that would lower child poverty by 15 percent.
Health Canada allowing generic Oxycontin in Canada
November 19th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Health Canada is going ahead with a plan to allow a generic form of OxyContin to be allowed in Canada. Health Minister Leona Aglukka says they will be tightening the rules surrounding reporting on how the drug is distributed. The Ontario Pharmacists Association and the province wanted Health Canada to wait until it can be determined if the generic form will lead to the same public health issues and misuse that arose with Oxycontin. The pharmacists are also concerned that it could lead to more pharmacy robberies and break-ins like they saw before Oxycontin was phased out. The patent for the original drug runs out at the end of the month.