The final stages of the 2006 West Nile virus program are being completed.  With no further human cases of the virus being identified, the final tally for 2006 remains at six cases.  The wrap-up meeting for our municipal partners will be held on November 9, 2006 at the Essex Civic Centre.  A wrap-up meeting with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will be held in Toronto on November 22, 2006.  GDG, our mosquito control consultants, will be making presentations on the 2006 larval breeding study at both the municipal and provincial meetings.

The three food contamination investigations are continuing in both Canada and the United States.  Follow-up in Windsor-Essex has not identified any illnesses associated with any of the three outbreaks.  A further North American recall involving salmonella has been announced.  It appears the source of this contamination was tomatoes.  A specific source has not yet been identified, and no specific action has been requested by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”).  These episodes again emphasize the increasing length and complexity of our food chain and emphasize the importance of good food handling practices.  As we have done through our food education classes, we emphasize that operators and consumers should wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption.  As well, hands and utensils should be washed before preparing meals and after contact with raw foods.  No illnesses have been identified with this most recent investigation.

The Health Unit has now received significant doses of the 2006-2007 influenza vaccine.  To date we have received 79,000 doses.  This vaccine has been distributed to high-risk facilities including hospitals and long-term care facilities and is being distributed to physicians’ offices.  We expect a further 80,000 doses of the vaccine next week and have announced that we will start our community clinics on November 16, 2006.  The first clinic will be held at the Retirees Social Club in Essex from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 16, 2006.  A copy of our 2006 flu clinic schedule is attached to my report.  With the receipt of the vaccine I do not foresee any problems in completing our influenza immunization program prior to the inspected onset of influenza in mid December.  The “Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst” community seminar was held on November 7, 2006 at the Fogolar Furlan Club.  Presentations by Bill Bevan from Children’s Aid, Mary Ellen Bernard from the City of Windsor, and myself were given.  The seminar was well attended by community organizations with 94 participants being present.

I have been contacted by Linda Stewart, the Executive Director of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (“alPHa”).  Ms. Stewart requested that the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit host the June 2007 alPHa conference.  I indicated to Ms. Stewart that pending approval of the Board that we would be pleased to host the conference.  I have spoken to members of Senior Management and they are in complete support.  The last time the Health Unit hosted the alPHa conference was in 1989.  This would be an excellent opportunity to showcase the Health Unit and Windsor-Essex to members of the public health community. 

As a reminder, influenza immunization will be available at the November 16, 2006 Board meeting for any Board members who would like to take advantage of this opportunity.  I would also like to remind Board members of the Staff Appreciation luncheon which is being held beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 17, 2006.  This year we will be holding a luncheon rather than the traditional staff breakfast.  The function will again be held at the Masonic Temple at the corner of Ouellette and Erie (across the street from the Health Unit).  I certainly encourage all members of the Board to attend.

Respectfully submitted,

G. Allen Heimann, MD, MHSc
Medical Officer of Health