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BCHU Announces First Flu Case of 2023

September 15, 2023

Brantford, Ont. – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has received its first confirmed influenza case of the season. There were 422 lab confirmed influenza cases in Brantford-Brant in 2022. In Canada, seasonal flu activity typically begins as early as October and can continue as late as May. The symptoms…

Mosquito Pool Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Brantford

July 24, 2023

BRANTFORD, ON – Mosquitoes collected earlier last week, as part of the surveillance program by the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU), have tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNV). The mosquitoes were collected from a residential neighbourhood in Brantford. This is the first lab confirmed evidence of WNV in Brantford-Brant…

Special Air Quality Statement Issued for Brantford-Brant

July 6, 2023

June 7, 2023 BRANTFORD, ON – A special air quality statement has been issued for Brantford-Brant. Poor air quality, with moderate to high-risk Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values are expected through most of the week locally. AQHI levels have reached the high-risk level and are predicted to be in…

​BCHU and Board of Health support a Consumption and Treatment Services site in Brantford-Brant

February 23, 2023

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) and the BCHU Board of Health have released a letter, in support of opening a Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site in Brantford-Brant. Both BCHU, along with the BCHU Board of Health, believe a CTS site would be appropriate and beneficial…

​Brantford-Brant Community Drugs Strategy Releases 2023 Action Plan

February 6, 2023

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brantford-Brant Community Drug Strategy has released its 2023 Action Plan. From September through December 2022, the Brantford-Brant Drugs Strategy Coordinating Committee met to identify the community’s most pressing drug-related challenges. The initial Brantford-Brant Community Drugs Strategy was reviewed and the recommendations that should be pursued most urgently were identified. The…

BCHU Receives Lab Confirmation of a Case of Invasive Meningococcal Disease

December 23, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has received lab confirmation of a case of invasive meningococcal disease. The case is currently hospitalized. BCHU’s case and contact management team has notified all individuals considered a high-risk contact to the initial case. There have been no secondary cases or spread…

Brant Experiencing Higher than Normal Flu Activity  

November 16, 2022

Brantford, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has received a significant number of positive lab results related to influenza (flu) up to this point in the 2022/23 flu season. Between October 3 and November 6, BCHU received notification of 50 lab confirmed flu cases in Brant residents. By comparison,…

Board of Health Appoints Brent Richardson as BCHU CEO

October 7, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) Board of Health (BOH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Richardson to the position of Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Mr. Richardson has been employed by BCHU since 2017, most recently as Acting Senior Administrator. During his tenure, he has…

BCHU adds fatal COVID-19 cases after data quality check 

September 27, 2022

Brantford, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has added seven fatal cases to its local case count and removed two previously categorized COVID-19 deaths after conducting a data quality check. These changes bring the current total of COVID-19 fatal cases in Brant to 90. Of the seven fatal cases…

BCHU confirms rabies in a bat found in the County of Brant

August 25, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – Laboratory testing has confirmed rabies in a bat found in the County of Brant. The bat is now deceased. This is the first confirmed case of animal rabies in Brant this year. Rabies is a viral disease that causes severe damage to the brain and spinal cord and, if…

First Case of Confirmed Monkeypox in Brant

July 11, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) received laboratory confirmation of monkeypox in a resident of Brant. BCHU has been in contact with the individual and has initiated case management for close contacts. The risk to the general public at this time is low. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused…

​Retirement of BCHU CEO Dr. Jo Ann Tober

June 13, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – Dr. Jo Ann Tober, Chief Executive Officer of the Brant County Health Unit has announced her retirement.  “We want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Tober for her years of dedicated service and contributions to the health unit and the residents of this community.  We wish her all…

Infectious syphilis rates rise in Brant

May 26, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is reporting an increase in infectious syphilis cases from 2021. In 2021, there were 24 cases of infectious syphilis, which is a notable increase compared to 2020 in which seven cases were reported. Thus far in 2022 (January to May), there have…

BCHU reducing frequency of COVID-19 reporting

March 31, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is revising the frequency to which COVID-19 case and COVID-19 vaccine data is reported to our online dashboard. In line with other regions across the province, this change comes as BCHU begins to resume core public health programs and services. Beginning Monday, April…

BCHU releases COVID-19 wastewater surveillance data

February 9, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – Beginning February 9, 2022, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has made wastewater surveillance data available as part of its COVID-19 reporting. This data will be displayed to the COVID-19 dashboard located on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage. The wastewater report will be updated weekly on Wednesdays. Wastewater surveillance involves…

BCHU Updating COVID-19 Case Reporting Process

January 14, 2022

BRANTFORD, ON – Beginning January 17, 2022, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) will be updating the COVID-19 case reporting process in response to recent changes in provincial testing eligibility. These updates will mean the information displayed on BCHU’s daily COVID-19 dashboard will change. Publicly funded PCR testing is now limited…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Paris Presbyterian Church

December 14, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Paris Presbyterian Church located at 164 Grand River St. N. in Paris. The outbreak was declared on December 13, after three cases of COVID-19 were found in those present at the church that did not have…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at New City Church

December 10, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at New City Church located at 190 Lynden Rd., in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on December 9, after six cases of COVID-19 were found in those who attended a service at this church that did not…

​COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Zander’s Fire Grill & Brew Lounge

September 21, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Zander’s Fire Grill & Brew Lounge located at 190 King George Rd., in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on September 20, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear,…

Increasing rates of infectious syphilis in Brant

September 20, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is reporting a large increase in infectious syphilis cases thus far through 2021. There have been 15 cases of infectious syphilis in Brant in 2021 compared to six cases throughout all of 2020. At this current pace, Brant is likely to see over…

Dr. Rebecca Comley to join BCHU as Acting Medical Officer of Health

August 24, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is pleased to welcome Dr. Rebecca Comley as Acting Medical Officer of Health (MOH) beginning September 13, 2021. Current Acting MOH, Dr. Malcolm Lock, who has filled the role on a temporary basis, will remain with BCHU and transition to a Public…

Mosquito Pool Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in St. George

August 23, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – Mosquitoes collected earlier last week as part of the surveillance program by the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) have tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNV). The mosquitoes were collected from a residential neighbourhood of St. George. This is the first lab confirmed evidence of WNV in…

Moderna vaccine to be administered at BCHU clinics while Pfizer shipment delayed

June 21, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) was informed by the Province on Saturday, June 19, that the next local delivery of Pfizer vaccine, that was to arrive early this week, has been delayed until later this week. All vaccination appointments at BCHU led clinics for this week will…

Residents urged to be vigilant to help prevent opioid overdoses

June 7, 2021

As summer approaches and temperatures are warmer, residents are urged to be extra vigilant in helping to prevent opioid overdoses in our community. Historically, there is a rise in the number of local opioid overdoses at this time of year. In 2020, there were 84 opioid overdoses or deaths recorded…

COVID-19 cases linked to outdoor gatherings

June 2, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has determined there have been several COVID-19 cases linked to outdoor, social gatherings that took place between May 21 and 26. BCHU’s investigation has currently linked 12 COVID-19 cases to the following events: Some cases attended these gatherings during the period where…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Portway Dentistry in Brantford

May 27, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Portway Dentistry located at 230 Shellard Lane in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on May 26, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside of…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Wendy’s location in Brantford

May 21, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Wendy’s restaurant located at 78 Icomm Drive in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on May 20, after three cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Farm Boy in Brantford

May 1, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Farm Boy located at 240 King George Rd. in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on April 30, after four cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside…

COVID-19 outbreak declared at Liv Communities sales office in Paris

April 22, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Liv Communities sales office located at 1028 Rest Acres Rd. in Paris. The outbreak was declared on April 21, after three cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Brant Food Centre in Brantford 

April 16, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Brant Food Centre located at 94 Grey St. in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on April 14, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside…

COVID-19 outbreak declared at Pizzaville location in Brantford

April 11, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Pizzaville located at 320 Colborne St. W. in Brantford.   The outbreak was declared on April 9, after six cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources…

​COVID-19 outbreak declared at CSN Collision Centre in Brantford

March 18, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at CSN Collision Centre – Brant County located at 85 Lynden Road in Brantford.   The outbreak was declared on March 17, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear,…

Dr. Malcolm Lock to Return to BCHU as Acting MOH on a Temporary Basis 

March 17, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – Dr. Malcolm Lock will return to the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) in the role of Acting Medical Officer of Health (MOH) on a temporary basis. The BCHU Board of Health is actively recruiting, with the assistance of a professional search firm, for a Medical Officer of Health…

​BCHU to continue using local COVID-19 vaccine booking system

March 15, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – As the Ontario government rolls out the province-wide COVID-19 registration system, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) will continue to use its local booking system for the immediate future. We ask all residents who currently qualify to receive COVID-19 vaccine to continue to book through the BCHU website. The…

BCHU announces change to time interval between two doses of COVID-19 vaccine

March 11, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) will be rebooking COVID-19 vaccine appointment times for all residents who currently have a second dose appointment booked. Second dose appointments will now be booked 16 weeks after the first dose has been administered. Affected residents will be contacted by BCHU to…

BCHU to open 3,100 additional COVID-19 vaccination appointments for Brant residents 80+ years-of-age

March 4, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) will be opening an additional 3,100  COVID-19 vaccine appointment spaces for adults 80 years-of-age and older, who are residents of Brant. BCHU anticipates that upwards of 85 per cent of residents in this age bracket will have received a vaccine after this…

BCHU Announces Sites for COVID-19 Mass Immunization Clinics, 80+ Years-of-Age Clinics to Begin Next Week

February 26, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is pleased to announce the two sites that will host upcoming COVID-19 mass immunization clinics. These sites will be located at One Market on the Wilfrid Laurier Brantford campus (1 Market Street. Brantford, ON.) and the Paris Fairground (139 Silver Street. Paris,…

​First screened positive COVID-19 variant of concern found in Brant

February 18, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) was notified by Public Health Ontario that a resident of Brant, previously diagnosed with COVID-19, has been identified as the first person in the community to have screened positive for a variant of concern (VOC).  This individual has no recent history of travel…

Statement regarding provincial return-to-school decision

February 2, 2021

Last week, Medical Officers of Health were consulted as part of the Province’s decision about which schools would re-open and which would remain closed. While Brant County Health Unit Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke gave the local perspective on the ongoing COVID-19 response in Brant and that…

COVID-19 vaccinations completed for local long-term care home and retirement home residents

January 21, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has completed mobile vaccination clinics at all long-term care and retirement homes in Brant. COVID-19 vaccine was received on January 12 and January 15 and teams were immediately launched to vaccinate those most vulnerable to COVID-19-related illness. At the direction of the…

First COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in Brant​

January 13, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – Linda Dunham received Brant’s first COVID-19 vaccine at Brantford General Hospital today. Dunham is an infection control nurse at Hardy Terrace Long-term Care Home in Brantford. She was one of 14 staff from Hardy Terrace Long-term Care Home who were vaccinated at Brant’s first COVID-19 immunization clinic. In…

​First COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive in Brant

January 12, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – With the arrival of the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine for Brant, a vaccination clinic led by the Brant County Health Unit and Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) has been scheduled for tomorrow, January 13. The COVID-19 vaccine will be given to a small group of front-line long-term…

BCHU Acting Medical Officer of Health departing in Spring 2021

January 7, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit’s (BCHU) Board of Health would like to announce the departure of Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke from her role as Acting Medical Officer of Health (MOH) effective Spring 2021. BCHU’s Board of Health has begun the recruiting process to replace Dr. Urbantke and will announce…

​COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Brantford Tim Horton’s location

January 3, 2021

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a Tim Horton’s location at 225 Henry Street in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on January 2, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Brantford Walmart location

December 9, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Brantford Walmart location at 300 King George Road. The outbreak was declared on December 8, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside of…

​COVID-19 Outbreak declared at The Olde School Restaurant in Brantford

November 27, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at The Olde School Restaurant in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on November 26, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in staff members that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside of this establishment. These…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at KFC in Brantford

November 13, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the KFC location within Lynden Park Mall in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on November 12, after three cases of COVID-19 were found in individuals associated with this establishment. These individuals were present at this business…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Rejuvenate Cosmetic Clinic in Brantford

November 5, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON -The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Rejuvenate Cosmetic Clinic in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on November 4, after two cases of COVID-19 were found in individuals that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside of this establishment. These individuals were…

COVID-19 Outbreak declared at Salon Mirage in Brantford

October 31, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Salon Mirage at Lynden Park Mall in Brantford. The outbreak was declared on October 30, after three cases of COVID-19 were found in individuals that did not have clear, identifiable transmission sources outside of this…

First Human Case of West Nile Virus Reported in Brant for 2020

September 18, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit has been notified of a Brant resident who has tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). While most people do not become sick after being bitten by an infected mosquito, WNV can cause severe illness in others. Seniors and people with underlying…

Mosquito pool tests positive for West Nile Virus in Brantford

August 13, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – Mosquitoes collected by the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) earlier this week have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The mosquitoes were collected from a residential neighbourhood in west Brantford as part of BCHU’s annual surveillance program and marks the first lab-confirmed evidence of WNV in Brantford…

Larviciding Program to be conducted in locations throughout Brant​

July 31, 2020

Between August 10 and September 30, 2020, the City of Brantford and County of Brant will be conducting a larviciding program under the authority of Brant’s Medical Officer of Health to control larval mosquitoes in order to prevent their development into vectors of West Nile Virus. The pellet formulation of…

Brant County Health Unit welcomes four new members to Board of Health

July 9, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has added four new members to its Board of Health (BOH). The members include Susan Brown (Provincial Appointee) who will act as the BOH’s Vice-Chair, County of Brant Mayor David Bailey (County Council Appointee), Mario Colombo (Provincial Appointee) and Joy O’Donnell (Provincial…

EOC Advisory Committee denounces racist language targeting seasonal farm workers

June 5, 2020

As our community, our nation and the world come to grips with how COVID-19 has altered our lives, social stigma can unfortunately be a side effect. Stigma occurs when people associate a risk with specific people, places or things, such as a minority population group. Sadly, stigmatization is common in…

​Brant County Health Unit confirms first death related to COVID-19

April 2, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has received notification of the death of an individual at the Brant Community Healthcare System. This is the first confirmed death related to COVID-19 in Brant. The individual was a female in her 60’s with pre-existing medical conditions. In order to protect privacy,…

Brant County Health Unit confirms second and third cases of COVID-19 in Brant

March 23, 2020

BRANTFORD, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) received laboratory confirmation of two cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brant, bringing the total lab confirmed cases to three. The first confirmed case is a male in his 50’s, who had travelled to the United States. On March 17, the individual…

Brant County Health Unit confirms first case of COVID-19 in Brant

March 18, 2020

Brantford, ON – The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) received laboratory confirmation of a case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brant. The illness was acquired during recent travel to Mexico. This is not a case of community spread. The confirmed case is a female in her 40’s and a resident of…

​COVID-19 Community Update #2

March 16, 2020

Brantford, ON – Over the weekend, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) was notified of 25 cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brantford and Brant County that meet the new definition of what is considered a case, set by the Ministry of Health last week. These cases are being considered probable cases,…

​COVID-19 Community Update

March 13, 2020

Brantford, ON – Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) and Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) have been informed by the Ministry of Health that the case definition for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been updated and a new prioritization list for testing has been created. Under these new directions, the Ministry has recommended…

First Confirmed Locally Acquired Flu Case

November 22, 2019

Brantford, ON – Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) has confirmed its first locally acquired influenza case of the season. Last flu season, Brantford and Brant County had 177 confirmed influenza cases. In Canada, seasonal flu activity typically begins as early as October and can continue as late as May. The…

Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke Appointed Acting Medical Officer of Health

July 23, 2019

Brantford, ON — The Board of Health of the Brant County Health Unit is pleased to announce that Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke will be joining the Brant County Health Unit as the new Acting Medical Officer of Health. “We are pleased Dr. Urbantke will be taking on this role. The Board is…

Enforcement of Immunization of School Pupils Act in effect

April 4, 2019

Brantford, ON – 150 students whose immunization records are not up to date with the Brant County Health Unit have been suspended from school until their records can be updated. The suspension takes effect immediately (Thursday, April 4, 2018) and includes 93 elementary and 57 secondary school students. “The current…

Brant County Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health Set to Retire

March 20, 2019

BRANTFORD, ON – At today’s Board of Health meeting, the Brant County Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr. Malcolm Lock officially announced he will be retiring at the end of September 2019. During his 16 years as MOH at the Health Unit, Dr. Lock has led the organization…

Help protect your community – get the flu shot

October 22, 2018

Brantford, ON – With the flu vaccine now available to the public through pharmacies and family doctors, the Brant County Health Unit urges everyone to get their flu shot so they can help protect their community. “The flu shot is the best protection against the flu,” says Dr. Lock, Medical…

West Nile Virus found in Brantford-Brant County

August 7, 2018

Branford, ON – The Brant County Health Unit is reminding residents to take steps to prevent mosquito bites. This summer the Health Unit has seen three positive human cases for West Nile virus (WNV), as well as one positive mosquito pool with 11 mosquitoes tested positive for WNV in the…

City of Brantford and Brant County Health Unit work to reduce harm risk of discarded needles

May 16, 2018

Brantford, ON – Today, the City of Brantford and the Brant County Health Unit launcheda new “Harm Reduction – Safe Needle Retrieval and Disposal” campaign. The one-yearpilot project, which was approved by Brantford City Council in December 2017, is part ofthe overall Brantford-Brant Community Drugs Strategy, a coordinated local plan…

Enforcement of Immunization of School Pupils Act in effect

April 19, 2018

Brantford, ON – 209 students whose immunization records are not up to date with the Brant County Health Unit have been suspended from school until their records can be updated. The suspension takes effect immediately (Thursday, April 19, 2018) and includes 152 elementary and 57 secondary school students. “Immunizations are…

​Update to Medical Officer of Health role

April 13, 2018

The Brant County Health Unit is pleased to announce that Dr. Malcolm Lock will now be working in Brant full-time as Medical Officer of Health. The Health Unit enjoyed the partnership with Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit through Dr. Lock’s shared Medical Officer of Health position since April 2007. “On behalf of…

Flood cleanup and food safety

February 23, 2018

Brantford, ON – As residents return to their homes after the recent flooding, safety remains a top priority. For homes that have been without power, but haven’t suffered water damage, residents are reminded to take food safety precautions, including: The Health Unit would also like to remind people that the…

Flu shot now available in Brant and Brantford

October 24, 2017

Brantford, ON – Tyson Benn thinks everyone who can should get the free flu shot. “It’s definitely not worth getting sick,” says the 27-year-old. Currently doing a social work student placement at the Brantford General Hospital, Benn believes strongly in getting the flu shot to help protect his co-workers and…

Mumps case confirmed in Brant County

May 17, 2017

Enforcement of Immunization of School Pupils Act in effect ​

April 20, 2017

Brantford, ON – 240 students whose immunization records are out-of-date with the Brant County Health Unit have been suspended from school until their records can be updated. The suspension takes effect immediately (Thursday, April 20, 2017) and includes 173 elementary and 67 secondary school students. “Immunizations protect children from many…

​Provincial Flu Campaign Launched

October 25, 2016

Brantford, ON – The flu vaccine will be available to the public this week through pharmacies and doctors’ offices. “The flu shot is the best protection against flu,” says Ruth Gratton, Manager, Infectious Diseases at the Brant County Health Unit. “Because it takes two weeks after the vaccine is given…

Update on Health Unit privacy breach

October 12, 2016

Brantford, ON – The Brant County Health Unit wants to inform the community we have notified all of the families affected by the unintentional privacy breach first reported on August 8, 2016. If anyone is concerned their family was affected, they will have received an email or letter from the…

Food Outbreak Plea

October 4, 2016

Brantford, ON – Today, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford, Lana Plank of Lana Plank Catering pled guilty to the charge of: “I’d like to commend our staff for their hard work on this incident,” says Jeff Kowal, Manager, Environmental Health. “This was a prime example of the…

Brant County Health Unit reports zero West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pools

September 2, 2016

Brantford, ON (September 2, 2016) – Overall, it has been a relatively low activity season for West Nile Virus (WNV) in Brantford and Brant County. The Brant County Health Unit did not detect any positive WNV mosquito pools this season.  Recent reports of human cases of WNV are being seen…

Brant County Health Unit asking residents to be on the lookout for rabid cat

August 29, 2016

Brantford, ON –– The Brant County Health Unit is asking anyone who may have lost, abandoned, fed, or came in contact with a grey adult male cat in the area of Alberton, from south of Highway 403 into Brant County, between August 10 and August 20 to contact the Health Unit immediately. Public…

Brant County Health Unit reports privacy breach​

August 9, 2016

Brantford, ON – On August 8, 2016, the Brant County Health Unit informed the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario of an unauthorized access of 494 records containing personal health information. A member of the public informed the Health Unit of the accessibility of the data through the website. The data…

Residents urged to take precautions after two more raccoons test positive for rabies in Brantford and Brant County

August 8, 2016

Brantford, ON — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry notified the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) after two raccoons in Brantford/Brant County tested positive for rabies. This brings the total number of raccoons with positive results for rabies in Brantford/Brant County to five since December 2015, when the re-emergence of…

Listeria Concerns – Neilson Chocolate Milk Recall

June 6, 2016

Rabies Case Confirmed in Brantford Raccoon

May 12, 2016

Brantford, ON – Laboratory testing has confirmed rabies in one raccoon found in the City of Brantford. The raccoon is now deceased. “While the risk of coming across an animal with rabies in Brantford is still low, people should be pay attention when outside,” says Jeff Kowal, Manager, Environmental Health…

Update – Student Immunization Review

April 28, 2016

Brantford, ON – On April 28, 2016, 320 students (194 elementary and 126 secondary) whose immunization records are still out-of-date with the Brant County Health Unit have been suspended from school under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). “Suspension is a last resort. We want all students to return…

Costco Recall – Health Unit has Hepatitis A Information and Vaccine Available

April 20, 2016

Brantford, ON – The Brant County Health Unit encourages any Brant resident with questions or concerns about Costco’s frozen fruit recall to visit the Health Unit website. If residents have further questions they should contact the infectious disease team at 519-753-4937 ext. 454. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a…

Update Student Immunizations to Avoid Suspension in April

February 1, 2016

Brantford, ON – Some parents in Brantford and Brant County with a child born in 1998, 1999, 2007, and/or 2008 may get a letter from the Brant County Health Unit in the coming days. If a child born in one of these years has an immunization record that is not…
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