Toronto – As Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, I want to address the recent developments in British Columbia regarding their proposed modification to their federal exemption for the simple possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use. The aim, as I understand it, is to equip law enforcement with additional measures to address public drug use. There has been …
TPH urges to get vaccinated against mpox amid rise in cases
Toronto – Toronto Public Health (TPH) encourages eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) after confirming 21 cases of the virus in Toronto since the start of the year, up notably compared to 27 confirmed cases reported in all of 2023. Mpox is a virus that spreads from person to person through contact with infected lesions, …
TPH advises travellers to protect themselves from measles ahead of March Break
Toronto – Toronto Public Health (TPH) recommends that anyone planning to travel over March Break should ensure they and their families are protected against measles before leaving. Due to a decline in measles vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, health authorities have reported a significant increase in measles outbreaks globally with recent cases of measles reported in Toronto, York Region, Peel …
Toronto rolls up sleeves for this year’s Covid-19, flu vax campaign
Toronto – All Torontonians can book their updated COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine. To promote vaccination this fall and winter season, Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health and Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health received their vaccines today at the Toronto Public Health (TPH) vaccination clinic at Metro Hall. …
TPH needs $5m more for respiratory illness prior to winter
Toronto – Medical Officer of Health Dr Eileen de Villa said in her report that this season, epidemiological data suggests that Toronto will experience a high level of respiratory virus activity. As a result Toronto Public Health is seeking an additional $5 million to help combat respiratory illnesses.
TPH reports 1st probable human case of West Nile virus in 2023
Toronto – Toronto Public Health (TPH) has reported its first probable human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in an adult resident in 2023. WNV is an infection transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. While the risk of getting infected in Toronto is currently low, TPH encourages residents ahead of the August long weekend to take …
TPH urges parents to prioritize children’s vaccinations
Toronto – As part of Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) commitment to restoring pre-pandemic programs and services, TPH is opening a new fixed-site vaccination clinic near Scarborough Town Centre on August 1. The clinic will provide access to life-saving vaccines for residents in all four quadrants of the city. Residents will now have access to four fixed-site clinic locations, ensuring equitable …
Toronto Public Health confirms 1st mosquitos to test positive for West Nile virus in 2023
Toronto – Toronto Public Health (TPH) has received confirmation of one batch of mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). These mosquitoes were collected from a northwest Scarborough location and are the first to test positive for WNV – an infection transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito – in Toronto this year. TPH conducts …
Moving forward with evidence-based public health approach to drug use
Toronto – Toronto Public Health (TPH) updated its submission to Health Canada for an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize drugs for personal use in Toronto. This is a critical step in Toronto’s response to the drug toxicity crisis. The update of the initial submission is a made-in-Toronto model to decriminalization. More information is available on …