Kingsville Times

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has reported its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in an adult resident in 2023. While the risk of getting infected in Windsor-Essex County (WEC) is currently low, this positive human case is a reminder for WEC residents to continue to protect […]

Do you know how to properly dispose of old, unwanted or unused medication? Do you know that they shouldn’t be flushed or thrown out? Did you know you that we at Main Street Pharmacy and Wellness Centre are a registered with the Health Products Stewardship Association? That’s right! When cleaning […]

London Health Sciences Centre named a Centre of Excellence with the addition of an innovative women’s healthcare ultrasound fleet  London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has taken a major step forward in advanced imaging and obstetrical patient care with the acquisition of 12 new innovative ultrasound units. This advanced technology will […]

At a breakneck pace, today’s world threatens to leave us gasping for breath. You name it – climate change and pollution, the global demographic explosion, autocratic rulers trampling civil society, or the threat of AI’s unintended consequences. But for all the things where meaningful influence is out of the hands […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit office will be closed for Thanksgiving on Monday, October 9. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, has rescinded the Boil Water Advisory issued on September 13, 2023 for waterline consumers serviced by the Wheatley Water Distribution System, specifically: •    3rd Concession Waterline Association •    3rd & 4th Concession Waterline Association •    KOA Waterline Association •    Richardson Sideroad Waterline Association •   […]

The British author and playwright, B.G. Stern, wrote, “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” It’s apropos to home healthcare workers, who have been acknowledged as essential, but that’s where the appreciation seems to stop. Personal support workers (PSWs) as they are called in Canada, Home Health Aides (HHAs) or […]

Erie Shores Health Foundation Unveils Erie Shores HealthCare’s Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic with Community Supporters On September 13, 2023, Erie Shores HealthCare announced the opening of their Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic in partnership with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. Following the announcement, Erie Shores Health Foundation […]

Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Thursday, October 5 starting at 8 p.m.  All network resources should be restored by 9 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: (519) 258-2146 Facebook: Windsor-Essex County HEALTH UNIT Twitter: @TheWECHU YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Local car enthusiasts put the pedal to the metal in 2023, making a large donation to Windsor Regional Hospital. The Corvette Club of Windsor held their annual waterfront car show this year and raised $26,000 for The Paediatric Oncology Satellite Unit at Metropolitan Campus. “We want to thank the Corvette […]

As of October 1, 2023, pharmacists in Ontario can now prescribe for an additional six minor ailments. This significantly increases access to care for our patients. These minor ailments are medical conditions that you would already commonly come to a pharmacist for an assessment and over-the-counter treatment. You may have […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit office will be closed for National Day For Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

The Ontario government is providing $7.2 million to support more acute care and intensive-care unit (ICU) beds for Erie Shores HealthCare. Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones and Essex MPP Anthony Leardi announced $6.1 million in funding for 12 additional acute care beds and $1.1 million for two additional ICU beds. This […]

Flu, RSV and new COVID-19 XBB vaccines will be available to ensure Ontarians are protected this fall Ontario is reminding everyone to stay safe this respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital by staying up to date on vaccinations. Ontarians are encouraged to get their flu and […]

Erie Shores HealthCare is pleased to announce the 2023 Excellence in Service Awards winners, celebrating the exceptional dedication and compassionate care provided by our remarkable team. These awards honour individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles to provide outstanding care to our patients. Physician of the Year: […]

There’s a Gifford-Jones Law that says, “Never accept radiation you don’t need.” But a dangerous new medical trend is breaking this law. What’s the worry? Across North America, some private clinics are now promoting the promise of early detection of disease to healthy people. In return for a fee, buyers […]

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, reminds consumers that the Boil Water Advisory issued on September 13, 2023 continues. The affected consumers are those for waterline system consumers serviced by the Wheatley Water Distribution System, specifically: 3rd Concession Waterline Association 3rd & 4th Concession Waterline Association KOA Waterline Association […]

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has issued a Boil Water Advisory for waterline system consumers serviced by the Wheatley Water Distribution System, specifically: •    3rd Concession Waterline Association •    3rd & 4th Concession Waterline Association •    KOA Waterline Association •    Richardson Sideroad Waterline Association […]

Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) proudly unveils the Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic, a satellite clinic aligned with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. This partnership signifies a new era of advanced cancer care within our community. The Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic will provide crucial chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, […]

We often advise readers not to be foolish – not with your health, money, relationships, or other vital aspects of life. Some risks are unavoidable, like crossing a busy intersection. Yet there’s little sense in choosing a career as a test pilot if you want to live to 100. Now, […]

At a special ceremony on Friday, September 8, 2023, Essex-Windsor EMS celebrated and officially welcomed 88 paramedics hired since early 2020. The paramedics, who were hired in 2020, 2021, 2022 and earlier this year, were formally congratulated as colleagues, members of Essex County Council and family members looked on at […]

Windsor Regional Hospital is introducing a new service aimed at helping support paediatric patients who attend the Emergency Departments during certain time periods to receive more timely care. The Ontario Ministry of Health has provided WRH with funding to launch the Paediatric Emergency Diversion Service (PEDs) through the fall and […]

A delegation from the County of Essex met recently with Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones to discuss measures to help address systemic issues leading to ambulance offload delays in Windsor-Essex. The delegation from the County of Essex included Warden Hilda MacDonald, Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Zwiers and Essex-Windsor EMS […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit office will be closed to the public for Labour Day on Monday, September 4. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

WE-SPARK Health Institute and its funding partners have awarded 18 research grants totaling $345,000 to tackle local health challenges in its latest round of funding during a celebration event at the University of Windsor’s CORe (Centre of Research Excellence) Building. The grants provide funding to promote the development of early-stage, […]

Fires are a natural part of life in the forests that extend across Canada and the northern US. But it is not normal for these forest fires to consume entire communities, take lives of unsuspecting citizens in a surreal panic, and leave thousands of people and animals displaced. Tragedies happen […]

Reversing an opioid overdose is a matter of life and death. In Canada there is an average of 20 deaths per day. Naloxone is easily accessible at most pharmacies including Main Street Pharmacy and Wellness Centre. We provide patients access to naloxone as well as training on how to use […]

Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Saturday, August 26, 2023 starting at 9 a.m. which will include www.wechu.org. All network resources should be restored by 9 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: (519) 258-2146 Facebook: Windsor-Essex County HEALTH UNIT Twitter: @TheWECHU YouTube: […]

The Windsor Police Service and Windsor Regional Hospital are pleased to announce the six-month extension of the Nurse Police Team (NPT) pilot program aimed at supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorders and related challenges. The program, launched in May 2023, pairs nursing professionals with frontline police officers to provide proactive, holistic, […]

If our bodies could speak to our brains, many would hear this: “Dear brain, please know the difference between being hungry and bored. Sincerely, I’m getting fat!” Who doesn’t turn to food when the doldrums set in? The smart brains would offer their hosts three pieces of advice. One, eat […]

Routine monitoring for West Nile Virus (WNV) has identified three additional positive mosquito pools in our community. There have now been a total of 6 positive pools in Windsor and Essex County (WEC) this year. Certain types of mosquitoes spread WNV, a potentially serious infection to humans. So far in […]

If having recurring headaches, most people go see a doctor. Or, for severe chest pain, it’s a rush to the emergency room. But when people are constantly rubbing their eyes, there’s no trigger of alarm. It’s just itchy eyes! But Dr. Clara Chan, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University […]

Jeff Lewis, Chair of Erie Shores Health Foundation (ESHF), announced today the appointment of Penny J. Bellhouse as the Foundation’s Executive Director effective August 14th. In making the announcement, Mr. Lewis shared, “Ms. Bellhouse, who has roots in the community, has over 15 years of experience in developing strong philanthropic […]

Aristotle’s doctrine of the golden mean lauds the middle ground of two extremes: excess and deficiency. But not everyone follows this sage advice. And not all vitamins and minerals send clear signals of absence or excess. This week, a look at potassium, the third most abundant mineral in the body. […]

School Readiness Events What an exciting time for your family! Join us at our School Readiness Events on Monday, August 28 or Tuesday, August 29, 2023 to get useful tips to help your family prepare for the fall. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has many resources and services to help! Visit a School […]

Readers of a great age face a common problem. It’s called frailty or general weakness. The frail elderly are at risk of falls that require hospitalization, often leading to palliative care. As the condition progresses, independent living at home can become impossible. For people who have reached the end of […]

A pair of local surgeons are keeping their legacy of giving to the Windsor-Essex community alive. Last year, Dr. Fouad Tayfour and Dr. Barry Emara came forward with a $250,000 donation to establish the ‘Tayfour-Emara Excellence in Research & Education Fund’. For 2023, they’re upping the ante with a $330,000 […]

Based on information from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health has issued an Extended Heat Warning from Wednesday, July 26 to Friday, July 28, 2023 for Windsor and Essex County. Everyone is at risk from heat, especially older adults, infants and young children, people […]

Routine monitoring for West Nile Virus (WNV) has identified one positive mosquito pool in our community. This is the first sign of WNV in Windsor and Essex County (WEC) this year. Certain types of mosquitoes spread WNV, a potentially serious infection to humans. So far in 2023, no human cases of WNV […]

Winston Churchill said, “The only statistics you can trust are those you falsified yourself.” Unreliable statistics make it hard to know how many people die each year due to medication errors. How many more are taking harmful drug combinations or the wrong doses?  The numbers are elusive because medical professionals […]

Everyone wants a safe, effective, and accessible supply of the products that keep us healthy. Doctors and patients need proven drugs. People seeking to prevent illness with natural remedies also need good products. But governments trying to ensure quality are putting measures in place that will limit the variety of […]

The United Nations has declared that access to essential medicines is a fundamental human right, yet more than one million Canadians do not have prescription drug coverage. This is a devastating problem, leading those without access to financial aid or employer benefits to have to make an impossible choice of prioritizing […]

What a great day and wonderful experience on July 5th at Ireland Manual Physiotherapy Clinic in Kingsville! Founder of Become the CEO of Your Health Margaret Wallis-Duffy (RMT)  and Founder of Osteosound Megan Buhrmester were on hand for their bone scan clinic. The EchoS rapidly generates a medical report that […]

How we wish there were better ways to treat pain. But scientists are struggling to find them. The very nature of pain remains illusive too. Determining if pain is mild, moderate, or severe is a personal perception. Doctors and nurses ask patients to rate their pain from zero to ten. […]

Erie Shores Health Foundation (ESHF) recently granted over $1.3 million to Erie Shores HealthCare and The Hospice, Erie Shores Campus. These grants represented the noteworthy outpour of support from members of the community committed to advancing healthcare close to home. ESHF’s grant of $689,000 to The Hospice, Erie Shores Campus […]

Based on information from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health has issued a Heat Warning for July 4 and July 5, 2023. A heat warning is issued when two consecutive days are forecasted to have a daytime high temperature greater […]

Ask any singer what they detest the most and they will say, “People who cough at concerts.” So how do you tell if your annoying cough is due to getting older or being a little out of shape? Is it a common cold? Or could it be a life-threating condition, […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit office will be closed to the public on Friday, June 30 for Canada Day. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

June 27, 2023 for Windsor – Leamington – Essex County, ON High levels of air pollution in Windsor and Essex County will develop due to smoke from forest fires. Smoke plumes from forest fires over northeastern Ontario and Quebec will move into the area this afternoon or tonight, resulting in […]

What is the world coming to? Recent news has artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and CEOS warning of an “extinction risk” from the technology running wild. Forest fires are literally running wild too. Nuclear war might us out. Or economic collapse. If these things don’t get you stressed, then how about […]

The virtual site tour video of SafePoint has officially launched. Located at 101 Wyandotte Street East, SafePoint is the first health facility to offer supervised consumption services in the City of Windsor. As part of SafePoint’s commitment to community engagement, the video was created to provide community members with a […]

A third MRI machine at Windsor Regional Hospital is currently in operation and about to ramp up to full capacity, adding thousands of additional scans for patients on an annual basis. In December 2022, the provincial government announced funding for 27 new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines across Ontario including […]

At the Board of Health meeting on June 15, 2023 the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit showcased a virtual video site tour of the SafePoint site located at 101 Wyandotte Street East in Windsor. As part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, the video was created to provide members of […]

Albert Einstein wrote, “Everything is a miracle.” Is it possible that a new class of drugs is finally providing a miracle in the fight against diabetes? Ozempic and Trulicity, produced by Novo Nordisk and Ely Lilly, are examples of the brand-name prescription drugs gaining attention for fighting type 2 diabetes […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has launched the 2023 beach water quality testing program at 8 local beaches. On Monday June 12, 2023, beach water samples were taken by Public Health Inspectors from Sandpoint Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee North West Beach, Seacliff Park Beach, Cedar Island […]

Dog lovers may want to skip this week’s commentary. For cat lovers too, this column may prove a disappointment. A health risk assessment of household cats might be all you need to recommit to a dog. Cats are the darlings of the Internet. And that may be the safest way […]

The following statement came from Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU): “With Environment Canada issuing a Special Air Quality Statement for our region due to smoke from wildfires, I want to remind residents of Windsor and Essex County that wildfire smoke can […]

A humorous greeting card reads, “Technically I’m still young, but due to my back pain, I’m actually 90.” Whatever the age, including 99, back pain can be agonizing. It’s a surprisingly common problem. A new study published by the Lancet Rheumatology Journal reports that 619 million people suffer from low back pain […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) launched their active tick surveillance program on Friday, June 2, 2023. This involves the identification and testing of ticks that are collected by public health staff. The field surveillance is conducted at public parks and trails that are frequently used by residents to retrieve […]

Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) is excited to serve as the training ground for ten first-year medical students from Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (London and Windsor Campus) during Discovery Week 2023, taking place from May 29 to June 2. Discovery Week is a specialized learning experience that […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be starting beach water quality testing program at 8 local beaches on June 12th, 2023. The beach water samples will be taken by Public Health Inspectors from Sandpoint Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee North West Beach, Seacliff Park Beach, Cedar Island […]

It was surprising news in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. There’s another about-turn among scientists studying hormone therapy (HT) as a treatment for symptoms of menopause. This time, researchers have produced findings that suggest benefits to healthy women who start HT early in the transition to menopause. Women have long […]

Mickey Mantle, former star of the New York Yankees baseball team, often remarked, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” He was only 63 when he died. Now, with many of us getting a good chance to live beyond 100, […]

As temperatures start to climb, the Ontario government is encouraging people across the province to take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses when enjoying the outdoors. While ticks are most active in spring and summer, they can be found during […]

The University of Windsor and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) are pleased to announce that three (3) new Canada Research Chairs focused on public health have been approved for federal funding, which will allow for the University to recruit leading public health experts to the Windsor-Essex region. Since the announcement […]

How important is what I like to call the “Total Family Doctor” (TFD)? For years, I’ve praised the hardworking family doctor for the role he or she plays in medical care. Now, many North Americans say it’s impossible to find a family doctor.  What has happened to them? Prior to […]

Nurses at Windsor Regional were honoured this week to recognize nursing excellence and continuing education efforts. Winners of the Jeanne Mance Extraordinary Nursing Care Awards go to a nurse who continually goes above and beyond to provide compassionate and professional care to patients and exemplifies teamwork, compassion, stewardship and respect. […]

Over 65 brain tumour researchers, doctors, survivors, volunteers and families gathered on May 11th at the Centre for Research Excellence (CORe) at the University of Windsor to tour the tumour research laboratory to learn first-hand about brain tumour research happening locally. May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month in Canada which […]

Why do some women shy away from sex? It might be fatigue after a long day where everything, everything, has gone wrong. But before men jump to conclusions, they should know about a disease called endometriosis. This problem causes severe pain during sex.  It occurs in about 10 percent of […]

When asked how to become a famous comedian, Steve Martin replied, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” It’s true, bad performers can usually be ignored. But there’s no ignoring bad public washrooms. Public washrooms have a reputation for abysmal filth, as evidenced by dirty toilets, overflowing trash, empty or […]

It’s tick season and the little pests are out with a vengeance. Tiny as they are, ticks are a huge nuisance and a hazardous vector of disease. Their ability to latch onto unsuspecting hosts has made them one of the most successful blood-sucking parasites on the planet. Ticks are the […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) Board of Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mehdi Aloosh as the region’s new Acting Medical Officer of Health (Acting MOH), effective May 1. Dr. Aloosh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position as a public health and […]

You may be forgiven if you are unfamiliar with Aquaman, a superhero who breathes underwater, communicates with sea creatures, and possesses superhuman strength and agility. But revisit past columns if you haven’t learned that fish are the real superheroes. Why? Because when mere mortals consume fish, their bodies gain extraordinary […]

We’re looking for your feedback on our programs and services. Your input will help us improve how we support the health of our community. If you haven’t done our survey yet, you can find it online here. The purpose of this survey is to help the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit […]

How long has this column recommended a high-fiber diet? Since March 1978 when readers were informed that processed foods create a “slow assembly line” in the bowels. Now some of the world’s most highly regarded nutritional scientists at Imperial College London say dietary fiber is “the best health advice of […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10 on the Easter weekend. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

The routine of modern-day life for most of us involves regular trips to the grocery store and three meals a day. The regular patterns of our diet can be a source of comfort or a rushed necessity. But is eating the same familiar foods – often the same recipes, products, […]

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 members of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) ratified a new four-year funding agreement with the Government of Ontario. The changes in this agreement are based on the best available clinical evidence and expert opinion for providing people appropriate eye care, as well as the […]

Erie Shores HealthCare is pleased to announce the launch of a second Emergency Department Wait Time Clock to help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare needs. The new clock will display the expected wait time for the Rapid Assessment Zone (RAZ) within the Emergency Department. Erie Shores is one of […]

The law of gravity means our bodies are pulled down to Earth. This fact inevitably spells trouble over time. But for some women, it causes inconvenient and annoying issues, and sometimes surgery, to address what’s called vaginal prolapse. Not all women are born equal. Some inherit tougher pelvic tissues and […]

Main Street Pharmacy is on-site today and over the weekend at the Kingsville Legion with the Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team Mobile Medical Clinic. Come in for primary and acute care needs provided by an amazing team of nurse practitioners and nurses. Friday, March 24 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday, […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Warns Community of Rising Cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in the Region The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is urging individuals to keep themselves up to date with the pertussis vaccine after a recent dramatic rise of cases in the region. Since November 1, 2022, […]

It’s an age-old problem, but not one that should come with age. Yet, compared to younger culinary novices, elderly people may be more prone to making mistakes in food preparation that can lead to food poisoning. Kitchens can be a dangerous place. So no harm in having a refresher to […]

In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris in 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” In his advocacy for people to wake up and leverage the day, Franklin joked there should be a tax on window […]

A pop-up clinic will  be taking place March 10, 2023 at the Leamington Office of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. The clinic will offer COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for those 5 years old and up. No appointment is needed. Date: Friday, March 10 Time: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Location: […]

People often ask me, what’s my secret to a long and healthy life? This week, I start my 100th trip around the sun. So I must acknowledge that Lady Luck has been on my side. But it’s not just good luck, or good genes. As a medical doctor, I learned early […]

Did you or someone you know borrow a radon detector test kit this past year? The Windsor Essex County Health Unit and Essex County Library are asking you to take a few minutes to complete this survey https://chkmkt.com/radonsurvey The survey is anonymous and will take less than 5 minutes to […]