The winter influenza season is slowly progressing.  To date, no cases of influenza A or influenza B have been found in Windsor-Essex.  Two hundred and twenty seven cases of influenza have been identified in the Province overall with those cases being clustered in the Toronto-Hamilton-Central East area.  Despite this, the Windsor-Essex area has been experiencing both upper respiratory and gastrointestinal viral outbreaks over the holiday season.  Cases of respiratory illness and gastrointestinal illness have been regularly reported to the Health Unit, although we have no specific numbers.  We are currently following four nursing home outbreaks, two of respiratory illness and two of gastrointestinal illness.  One of the gastrointestinal outbreaks has been identified as a norovirus (also known as ‘Norwalk virus’).  Neither the respiratory viruses in the community or the viruses causing the two nursing home outbreaks have been identified.  In speaking to the laboratory, tests so far have been negative for influenza A and influenza B.  The best guess now is that the virus is a para influenza virus.  The influenza immunizations continue to be given through the weekly Health Unit clinics. 

On January 9, 2007 the third and final report by Mr. Justice Campbell on the SARS outbreak was released.  The report reviews the content of the first two reports which dealt with the public health system and public health legislation respectively.  The third and final report makes recommendations on dealing with outbreaks in the health care community focussing on protection for health care workers.  The report recommends the use of the precautionary principle in any future outbreak to reduce risk to health care workers.  The report also reviews the status of recommendations previously made.  The report clearly indicates significant work still remains to be done in improving infection control in the health care system.  A copy of the Executive Summary of the report will be available for circulation at the upcoming Board meeting.

Dr. Basrur continues her medical treatment.  At the upcoming Board meeting a card will be distributed to Board members for signing, which we will forward to Dr. Basrur.  A replacement for Dr. Basrur has not yet been chosen.

The June 2007 alPHa conference has been confirmed for June 10-12, 2007 in Windsor.

This week I was pleased to receive a phone call from Minister Jim Watson’s office (Minister of Health Promotion).  Mr. Watson’s assistant told me that Minister Watson will be coming to Windsor-Essex on January 16, 2007 to formally present the Heather Crowe award to the Health Unit for its efforts in smoking cessation and tobacco control.  The award presentation is scheduled to take place at the Health Unit’s Essex office at 3:30 p.m. on January 16, 2007.  All Board members are cordially invited to attend.  We will have the award available for viewing at the next Board meeting.  This award is a tribute to the Board and all of the staff of the Health Unit for the work we have done over many years.

At the upcoming Board meeting on January 18, 2007, we will begin to receive nominations for the Board Executive for 2007.  The positions of the Board Executive are those of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer.  As the Health Unit has not received confirmation of the City appointees for 2007, Board elections will not be held at the January meeting but will be scheduled for the February meeting.  Nominations may be forwarded to me by mail or handed in at the Board meeting.  Nominations may also be made from the floor at the February meeting prior to elections.

Templates for Board member biographies are being distributed.  For current Board members, biographies are being sent to you by e-mail for electronic updating.  Hard copies will also be distributed at the Board meeting.

I would ask that Board members give some thought to the orientation process and how they wish it to be conducted for 2007.  We have tried a number of options in the past, including ongoing program presentations at the start of each Board meeting as well as a formal orientation session conducted either prior to a Board meeting or at another time.  Please consider how you would like the Board orientation process conducted this year.  

I have been asked by Mr. Gary McNamara, Board Chair, to consider moving the February Board meeting one week ahead to February 8, 2007 rather than the scheduled meeting of February 15, 2007. 

Mr. McNamara will be in Namibia, Africa over the February Board meeting date of February 15, 2007 and would request a change in meeting date if possible.

Respectfully submitted,  

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