The Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Board of Health says there are no confirmed measles cases in Northumberland County, even as Ontario reports 816 cases and 61 hospitalizations since the fall.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Thomas Piggott provided the update during the board’s April 16 meeting. He warned that declining vaccination rates are a contributing factor to the rise in measles across the province.
To help prevent local spread, the health unit is enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act, which requires all students to have updated immunization records. Dr. Piggott also highlighted efforts during the recent ice storm to preserve vaccines, avoiding waste despite power outages across the region.
The board also heard updates on the ongoing merger of public health units in Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Peterborough. Dr. Piggott said a “Transformation Team” has been formed to guide the process and that early financial savings and program harmonisation work are already showing results.
The board reviewed the merger’s Year 2 budget, policy changes such as a new procurement policy, and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies membership model.
The next HKNP Board of Health meeting will take place on May 15 at the Hiawatha L.I.F.E. Services and Administration Office on Hiawatha First Nation.
More information and meeting materials can be found on the HKPR District Health Unit website.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)