Individuals who were present at the following locations during the listed times may have been exposed to measles:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 10:55 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.:

Huronia Urgent Care Clinic (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)
Georgian Radiology at Huronia Urgent Care Clinic (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

Eagle Ridge Pharmacy (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will be calling anyone who had booked appointments at Huronia Urgent Care Clinic or Georgian Radiology at above-mentioned locations during those specified times.  

Additionally, anyone who visited the Eagle Ridge Pharmacy between 10:55 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12, 2025 may have been exposed to measles and are asked to call us at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The health unit advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus to do the following:

• Monitor for signs and symptoms of measles which begin 7 to 21 days after exposure.
• Even individuals who are up to date with the measles vaccine should watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure. Symptoms of measles include:
  • Fever, runny nose, cough
  • Drowsiness, and red eyes
  • Small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present.
  • Three to seven days after symptoms start, a red, blotchy rash typically appears on the face and then spreads down the body.
  • One can be infectious 4 days prior and 4 days after onset of rash.  

• Confirm that you and your family members have two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV); those born before 1970 would likely have had measles illness as a child and are protected. Those not protected against measles with these measures should contact their health care provider regarding vaccination.

• If you develop symptoms:
  • Isolate immediately by staying home (do not go to school or work) and avoid contact with others.
  • Call before going to going to a clinic or hospital, so they can prepare for your arrival to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
  • Wear a well-fitting, high-quality face mask when seeking medical care.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

“Measles is a serious and highly transmittable infection that can cause life-long complications,” says Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU’s medical officer of heath. “Vaccination against measles is the most effective preventive measure we have available, with the risk of measles to those who are vaccinated with two doses being very low, and in the rare case when it does occur among a vaccinated individual, it tends to reduce the severity of symptoms.”

People who do get sick usually recover without treatment, but measles can be more severe for infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Possible complications include middle ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, or encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and occasionally death in the very young.

The health unit is advising individuals and families to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines and to remain watchful for symptoms even if vaccinated against measles.

For more information about measles, please visit smdhu.org/measles or call 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

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Anyone can be a foster care provider, but do you know what it takes? The Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions foster resource team prepared a set of videos to recruit foster care providers in our community.

Those videos were created with the intent to show the current challenges in finding local placements for children and youth and what happens when children and youth are placed outside of their home communities (Simcoe and Muskoka). The approach is meant to be hopeful and to show the positive sides of helping children and youth stay close to home.

The first video on the website is the introductory video. It shows a youth getting into a car and having to go so far away from everything they know, including family, friends, summer jobs, activities, and connection to their community. The following vignettes show the benefits of keeping kids close to home: they remain in close contact with family, keep their summer jobs, remain in the community they know, etc.

Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions hopes to encourage residents in our vast communities to open their homes to children and youth so that they stay connected to family and community. By opening your home, you can make a difference in their life. You don’t have to be a perfect person, but an individual or couple with a genuine interest in children and a sense of community responsibility.

If you or someone you know is interested in fostering, complete the form at familyconnexions.ca/contact/.

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Every year, SMFC fundraises to give kids in need the chance to attend summer camp programs of their choosing. These kids often face complicated challenges at a young age, making camp experiences even more important for their learning and development. Thanks to the generosity of their camp partners, they can stretch their funds further and help more children create lasting memories and learn valuable life skills.

The benefits that camps provide to kids in need are immense. They offer community connections, cultural engagement, personal growth opportunities, and set them on a path to success in adulthood.

“At Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, we believe every child deserves the
chance to experience the joy and growth that summer camp provides,” says Jasmine
Botter, Fund Development & Community Partnerships Coordinator at SMFC. “The
generosity of our camp partners plays a vital role in making this possible for the
children we serve. We are deeply grateful for their support and commitment to our
community.”

The camps themselves are just as enthusiastic about the partnership.

“Moorelands Camp is excited to partner with Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions who understands and values the importance of every child having a camp experience,” says David Borsook, Director at Moorelands Camp. “At Moorelands, we bridge the opportunity gap by providing a deeply subsidized overnight leadership program. Without amazing partners like Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, many children would be missing out. Every child deserves the transformative experience of camp and this is what Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions Camp Program provides.”

Another camp partner shared, “Camp is a fantastic way for children to grow; Family Connexions Camp Program is a terrific opportunity for children who may not otherwise have this chance,” says Soke Michelle Maizis, Maizis Martial Arts Academy Head Instructor. “The people of Family Connexions are supportive of their community and do the best they can for the children.”

This year, a total of 54 local camps and extracurricular facilities have partnered with Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions’ Camp Program. A list of the camps which are offering clients of their agency free spots and discounts can be viewed on their website here. Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions is deeply thankful to all the camp facilities making a difference in the lives of so many children.

For more information about Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions and how you can support their mission, please visit www.familyconnexions.ca or contact communications@familyconnexions.ca.

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Sexual health is an integral part of our overall health and well-being which can have an impact on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional state. In the past five years there has been a steady increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), namely chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. These can be easily transmitted through unprotected intercourse and oral sex. Many individuals who have an STI do not know that they have one, as many have no symptoms at all and yet, they can still give it to their sex partners. This is why it is important to get tested and treated for STIs to prevent passing it on to others, and potential serious consequences such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

The present STI situation in Simcoe Muskoka

STI’s have been on the rise in Canada as well as within Simcoe Muskoka for more than 20 years. The most common STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhea which are both bacterial infections that can be treated easily with antibiotics. Here a few statistics worth sharing:

1. Between 2000 and 2022, chlamydia cases have increased four-fold rising from 363 cases reported in 2000 to 1,117 cases reported in 2022. The highest infection rate is among 15 to 24-year-olds, with more cases occurring among females than males.
2. Since 2017, cases of gonorrhea have almost tripled with 279 cases reported in 2022 compared to 101 cases reported in 2017. The highest rate is among 25 to 39-year-olds with a higher proportion of cases occurring among males compared to females.
3. There has been a nine-fold increase in syphilis cases since 2017, when nine cases of the infection were reported in 2017 compared to 87 cases reported in 2022. Rates are highest among 25 to 39-year-olds and 15 to 24-year-olds.
4. In the past six years, between three and 15 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been reported annually in Simcoe Muskoka. In 2022, 13 new cases of HIV were reported to the health unit and the highest infection rate was among 25 to 39-year-olds, with more cases occurring among males than females. There is presently effective HIV treatment available that can reduce the amount of virus to undetectable levels in the body. This in turn prevents sexual transmission of HIV. This has been referred to as U=U or Undetectable=Untransmittable.

What can we do to slow down the STI storm?

Get tested if you are sexually active, particularly when you have new partners. Anyone can get a STI as these infections don’t discriminate on number of sexual partners, age, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. STI testing is simple and often requires just a urine sample.  Your health care provider may also decide to do oral, genital or anal swabs and/or a blood test. Using barriers such as condoms or dental dams when engaging in penetrative or oral sex can also reduce your risk of getting a STI. Have open communication with your partner(s) or teens about sexual health, STI’s, testing and safe sex practices.

Where can you access testing and sexual health services?

STI testing is available through your healthcare provider’s office, walk-in clinics, community health centres, certain community agencies and sexual health clinics at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU). STI testing is free through a healthcare provider for those with an Ontario Health Card.

Some people may be hesitant to access STI testing due to concerns about confidentiality, feelings of shame or a fear of being seen accessing sexual health services or treatment in the community and being talked about. It is important to seek medical attention if you are having symptoms of a STI which could include abnormal vaginal or penis discharge, discomfort during urination, pelvic pain, irregular bleeding in between periods, or a rash or sores in the genital area.

All sexual health clinics at SMDHU in Barrie, Midland, Orillia, Collingwood, Cookstown, Gravenhurst and Huntsville offer full sexual health services including STI testing. Testing at SMDHU is free to everyone, including those without a health card and all services are confidential. An individual can even have STI testing done without providing their name at a SMDHU sexual health clinic. The health unit also offers free STI treatment for those who test positive for bacterial STI’s such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Community health care providers and walk-in clinics can also address your STI concerns and provide testing. They can also order free STI medications from SMDHU for their clients who need treatment.

How do you book an appointment for STI testing at SMDHU?

You can self-book a SMDHU sexual health clinic appointment smdhu.inputhealth.com or you can call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or toll free 1-877-721-7520, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to book an appointment. All of our sexual health services are confidential, judgement-free and LGBTQ2+ friendly with nurses who are easy to talk to.

Dr. Colin Lee is an Associate Medical Officer of Health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. To learn more about sexual health and other public health topics, visit www.smdhu.org.

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Many communities are experiencing a drug toxicity crisis and the City of Barrie is no exception. In 2022, Barrie had the third highest rate of opioid-related deaths amongst Ontario’s large municipalities (population of 100,000 or more). Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities across the country saw dramatic increases in these deaths. In 2022, 60 opioid poisoning deaths occurred in Barrie, about double the amount seen prior to the pandemic – when we were already experiencing alarming numbers – and more than double the provincial average. More than half of those 60 people were young adults between 20-44 years of age, and all left behind grieving families, friends, and communities.

Opioid-related deaths in Canada have risen dramatically since 2016, mostly due to the illegal and unregulated drug supply. This supply is unpredictable and becoming increasingly toxic. In particular, deaths continue to be driven mostly by fentanyl. It is not uncommon for other fillers and substances to be included in the drug supply, such as benzodiazepines, that multiply the effects on the body and further increase a person’s risk of a fatal opioid poisoning.

Harm reduction strategies for substance use help to reduce harm in people who use substances. Some of these strategies include the distribution of naloxone that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid poisoning, needle exchange programs, drug checking services that test samples of the local unregulated drug supply, and consumption and treatment services (CTS) sites. These strategies are effective and for many years the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has provided needle exchange and naloxone programming throughout our region.

Consumption and treatment services sites can help save lives and contribute to safer communities by providing a safe and clean space for people to use their own substances under the care of trained staff. They offer services that are respectful of the person and connect them to addictions treatment, mental health care, primary care, housing, and other social supports. A CTS site can also provide drug checking services and counselling that can help an individual make an informed decision about their planned use of a substance.

CTS sites have operated in Canada and internationally for several decades and consistent evidence shows their positive outcomes. CTS sites have proven to help prevent deaths and hospital visits related to drug poisonings, and to increase uptake of addiction treatment and other health and social services. CTS sites have been shown to not increase crime, but instead improve public order and safety by reducing the presence of discarded needles and drug paraphernalia as well as reducing public drug use.

In October 2021, after two years of collaborative efforts and consultations, the Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe County Branch (CMHA-SCB) applied to both Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health for a CTS site at 11 Innisfil Street in Barrie. In September 2022, Health Canada approved the application by granting an exemption to section 56.1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, however we continue to await the Ministry of Health’s approval and funding decision.

The health unit continues to be a strong supporter of the current CTS application for Barrie. We believe that a CTS site in Barrie will help save lives and connect people to many vital services in their local community, and we believe that the broader community will benefit. For more information about the CTS application please visit the SMDHU Consumption and Treatment Services webpage.

Dr. Lisa Simon is an Associate Medical Officer of Health at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Her interests and primary responsibilities are in the areas of substance use prevention and harm reduction, chronic disease prevention, child health, and health equity.

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“You can certainly imagine how frightening it can be for a child or youth to have the courage to disclose that they have been physically or sexually abused. Each situation can be extremely frightening and intimidating, and in these circumstances every child deserves a safe, trauma-informed space to tell their story,” says Dawn MacDonald, Executive Director, The Child & Youth Advocacy Centre Simcoe Muskoka.  “It’s through our new partnership with New Path that our team of multi-disciplinary partners can conduct forensic interviews across the broader region of Simcoe Muskoka and bring the supportive care of our Child & Youth Advocates closer to home for many families. We know the mental health effects of abuse on children and youth are significant and require on-going support through prevention education, early interventions, therapy, and timely system navigation; our community partners like New Path make it possible for us to ensure this happens.”

New Path is the Lead Agency for child and youth mental health in Simcoe County with the goal of ensuring that all children, youth and families receive timely transitions to mental health services when and where they need them. This partnership helps to ensure access to crucial mental health supports for vulnerable children and youth in our community.

“This is a win-win and a wonderful partnership that has been made possible because of our hybrid working model at New Path, which leaves some of our offices available to be used by our partners, like the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre,” says Jim Harris, CEO, New Path Youth and Family Services. “This creative use of space enables us to support the critical work of the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre and enhance those warm hand offs we always strive to make, meaning that children and youth that have experienced abuse will be referred seamlessly and more comfortably to mental health services at New Path. We are committed to working in collaboration with partners that support children and youth and sharing resources, which is simply the right thing to do.”

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The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters don’t hunt without a licence.

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“At this time the risk to the general population remains low, as we have not detected the virus circulating in Simcoe Muskoka, and it does not spread easily. Residents should not be concerned going about their routine everyday activities,” said Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Colin Lee.

“The health unit continues to closely monitor the situation. We advise any person who develops symptoms or who has had contact with a suspected or known case of monkeypox to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Monkeypox can affect anyone of any age, gender or sexual orientation. Currently, monkeypox is predominantly affecting men who have sex with men (MSM), and the most likely way it is being passed on is through close, intimate contact due to the increased skin-to-skin contact.”

Monkeypox is a rare disease not common to North America. It spreads through close contact with a person infected with the virus, or their clothing or linens. It can enter the body through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids (i.e., saliva, lesions, blisters or rashes) and through mucus membranes or respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact (i.e., breathing, talking and coughing).

Symptoms typically develop five to 21 days after exposure and last from two to four weeks. They occur in two stages and may include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle, joint and back pain, and exhaustion. A rash lasting between 14 and 21 days may also appear on the face or extremities, as well as the hands, feet, mouth and genitals that later form scabs.

Anyone diagnosed with monkeypox must isolate until all scabs have fallen off and have healed, typically in two to four weeks. Vaccination is available for high-risk contacts of cases to prevent infection.

Monkeypox is usually a mild illness and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Generally, most people recover on their own after a few weeks. Antiviral treatment is available for severe cases only. Preventive vaccinations are available to MSM who may be at high risk of being exposed through Toronto Public Health.

For more information about monkeypox, call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit our website.

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Sex and sexuality are important aspects of health and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reminds the public that it is essential to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and get tested if you are sexually active or think you may have one.

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Tyreek Nosworthy is described as a Black male, 21 years of age, 6’0″ (183cm),161lbs (073kg)  with black hair and brown eyes.

He is currently serving a two (2) year, nine (9) month and seventeen (17) day sentence for Disguise with Intent, Armed Robbery Using a Firearm and Break, Enter & Commit Theft.

The offender is known to frequent the Toronto, Hamilton, Brampton and Simcoe areas.

Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.

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