Bat encounters can put you at risk for rabies — Interior Health
Interior Health is advising the public of the importance of avoiding physical contact with bats, the primary carrier of the rabies virus in B.C. IH said rabies is a very serious disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal if not treated in time. In 2016, 61 people in the Interior Health region were ...
Nearly eight in ten Canadians have used alternative medicines: survey
More and more Canadians are using complementary and alternative medicines and therapies—such as massage, yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic care—and they’re using them more frequently, finds a new survey by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “Alternative treatments are playing...
Another recall, this time Miss Vickie's Jalapeño Kettle Chips
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Miss Vickie's Canada is recalling Miss Vickie's brand Jalapeño Kettle Cooked Potato Chips from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. The CFIA said this recall was triggered by the company. "The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety...
Illicit drug death numbers continue to rise
The number of illicit drug deaths in March remained high, with the third-highest number ever for a single month said the BC Coroners Service in a media release. BC Coroners Service said provisional data shows that a total of 120 persons died as a result of illicit drug use during the month of March, an average of almost four...
Interior Health announces some Kootenay Boundary radiology results under review
Interior Health issued a media release Tuesday that the authority is initiating a review of diagnostic imaging reports from a radiologist who worked as a locum in the Kootenay Boundary area. The review is for diagnostic imaging reports during the time periods: April 29 to May 31, 2011 June 4 to 23, 2014 Interior Health said...
Private well users encouraged to protect drinking water
With the annual spring melt underway, Interior Health is advising all homeowners with private wells to take appropriate steps to safeguard their drinking water. When spring runoff flows into a well and mixes with the source water, there is significant risk of bacterial contamination. Homeowners should: Consider whether ...
Interior Health — Time to talk ticks
As the temperature begins to rise, so will the number of tick bites said Interior Health in a media release Friday. The increase in bites generally comes as people begin spending more time outdoors in tall grass or wooded areas. "Ticks are small bugs that feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit...
Health taxation flatlines in the West Kootenay-Boundary
A little bit of good news may be no news at all: one tax won't be increasing this year for West Kootenay-Boundary residents. The amount charged to regional residents for the coming tax year won't be rising — compared to 2016 — but there will still be an almost $1 million contribution to the reserve fund. The West Kootenay...
CFIA expands Robin Hood Flour E. coli recall warning
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has expanded its original recall of Robin Hood brand All Purpose Flour, Original from western Canada to include the entire country. The food recall warning originally issued on March 28, 2017 was updated Tuesday (April 4, 2-17) to include additional distribution information. Smucker Foods...
MyHealthPortal coming to Kootenay communities
A new tool allowing patients to access their personal health information online is coming to the Kootenays. MyHealthPortal provides patients 24-hour access to their health information via their smart phone, tablet or computer through a secure portal from the Interior Health website. Features include the ability to view their...
