Latest news with #DrPaulRoumeliotis
CBC
a day ago
- Health
- CBC
Rabid red fox euthanized in eastern Ontario
Rabies has been detected in a red fox in eastern Ontario, with health authorities saying the animal was euthanized and appropriate treatment provided to the people who were in contact with it. The animal was found in Chute-à-Blondeau, east of Hawkesbury, with Eastern Ontario Health Unit's medical officer of health saying it was his first time hearing of a rabid fox in the region. "It was actually bat rabies," said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, about the detection on June 13. "So that doesn't surprise me because we do have rabid bats in the area." That's an important distinction, according to Roumeliotis, signifying the virus didn't transmit between foxes. "That would present a whole kind of ecosystem of rabies," he said on Wednesday. Ministry says detection doesn't mean increased risk The Ministry of Natural Resources is confident the detection doesn't indicate any increased risk to the health of people or wildlife, it said in an email. While it's not common for bat-variant rabies to occur in other species, it is possible, it said. Roumeliotis said a bat may have bitten the fox, while the ministry says the fox, a scavenger, could have come into contact with a dead bat. The last detected case of this strain in a non-bat mammal in eastern Ontario was in a skunk in 2018. 'It looked fine' Janet Cote says the animal lived on her property in Chute-à-Blondeau. She would watch the kit and its siblings from her home's front window as they grew. But on Sunday, May 11, she spotted one acting strangely. "The little tiny one, the runt, stayed out on the grass and, jeez, it was there for about an hour in the full sun," Cote said by phone. "I thought, 'oh its natural instinct should be to go hide, not stay out.'" She says her husband, wearing gloves, was able to handle the animal and place it in an oversized cardboard box. "It looked fine," Cote said. "It just looked like it was super lethargic and tired and I thought, 'Oh, maybe it just needs nutrition.'" "I never thought that it was that sick." The two decided to transport it to Holly's Haven, a wildlife rescue in Dunrobin. Lynne Rowe, its director of operations, says her team had the fox for less than 12 hours. "The next morning we saw it was having seizures," Rowe said. "And so took it straight to our vet who euthanized it and then was concerned about the symptoms" Rowe says possible exposures at the rescue are low — with her team having worn protective equipment while handling the sick animal — but staff have received boosters shots. She says susceptible species at the rescue are also in the process of becoming fully vaccinated. Cote said her husband also received shots. According to Ottawa Public Health, the rabies virus affects the brain of those infected. It's usually spread from animal to animal but can also be spread to humans. If a person with the virus doesn't receive treatment, the disease is already fatal by the time they show symptoms.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tips to stay sun safe while outside this summer
A woman helps a man apply sunscreen as they relax at Britannia Beach in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Eastern Ontario's medical officer of health is urging people to lather on the sunscreen as they head outside this summer, warning exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburns and cancer. 'The sunscreen is kind of your best friend,' Dr. Paul Roumeliotis told CTV Morning Live. Environment Canada says the UV index will be 7 or high today and Thursday in Ottawa, with sunshine in the forecast all weekend. 'It's quite important to recognize that, yes you tanned and so on, but there are dangers,' Roumeliotis said Wednesday morning. 'The truth of the matter is that exposure to the sun and sun burns produce cancer; you can get cancer 20-30 years later. So, the more you're exposed, the longer you're exposed it accumulates – the higher your risk. I call it being sun aware and sun safe.' Exposure to UV rays from the sun can lead to sunburns, wrinkles, skin damage, skin cancer, eye lesions and cataracts. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says the people most at risk to UV rays from the sun are children, people participating in outdoor sports and recreation and outdoor workers. Dr. Roumeliotis says sunscreens are 'safe and will prevent cancer.' 'Sunscreen has to have an SPF factor. So what is SPF? Sun protection factor. We recommend 30 or over; what it means is if you apply it, you get protection 30 times longer than if you did not apply it,' Roumeliotis said. 'One thing we should be looking at as well is should not include PABA because that can irritate the skin. As long as the SPF is there.' The health unit offers several tips to enjoy the sun safely, including limiting time outdoors when the UV index is 3 or higher and between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dr. Roumeliotis recommends applying sunscreen to all parts of your skin that stick out, including nose, ears and shoulders. 'Everything that is exposed to the skin. You should do that 15-20 minutes before you go out,' Roumeliotis said. 'The waterproof, you need to replace it every two hours. Especially if children go through the water, when they dry off reapply it because it will wear off.' Roumeliotis insists sunscreen is safe. 'There's no question that scientific research after research has shown if you don't protect your skin against the sun, the accumulation of those UVA and UVB rays can cause cancer,' Roumeliotis said. 'Skin cancer can be fatal. This is not anything to play with. Influencers or not, bottom line is sunscreens are safe and will prevent cancer.' Other tips to enjoy the sun safely this summer include:
CTV News
04-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
3 plants to watch out for while outside in Ottawa this summer
Sap from wild parsnips can cause burns. Other side effects can include blindness if contact is made with the eyes but symptoms may not appear immediately. As you head out for a walk or a hike this summer, watch out for some plants that can turn a peaceful journey into a painful problem. Eastern Ontario Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis dropped by CTV Morning Live to discuss three plants to watch out for in Ottawa and eastern Ontario while outside – poison ivy, wild parsnip and giant hogweed. Poison Ivy Poison ivy is known for its ability to cause an itchy rash. According to Health Canada, it can grow on sandy, stony, or rocky shores, and sprouts in thickets, in clearings and along the borders of woods and roadsides. 'It's a weed; it's a vine, it can grow long, and we find it everywhere,' Dr. Roumeliotis said. 'It is three leaves on a stem. If you get into contact with it, the sap is very toxic. You can put it on your skin; 24 hours later, you'll have a red rash, an itchy rash.' The medical officer of health says symptoms will develop 24 to 48 hours after contact with the sap from poison ivy. The inflamed areas will develop blisters, which leads to intense itchiness, says Health Canada. Dr. Roumeliotis recommends washing any area of your skin with soap and water and use a calamine lotion. Poison Ivy leaves A dermatologist shares his advice on how to avoid getting a rash from contact with poison ivy this summer. (Eric Fleming / Wild parsnip Wild parsnip is an invasive plant that can cause harm to humans and animals if they come into contact with it. The plant secretes oils that can cause skin to burn and blister when exposed to sunlight. 'It's a wild plant. They are called parasitic plants, in other words, they actually are in fields, all over the place, meadows – wherever it's abandoned,' Dr. Roumeliotis said. 'They kind of take over other plants and it's not good for overall vegetation.' Dr. Roumeliotis says blisters can appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the sap from the wild parsnip. 'They have a sap in them and if you get in contact with the sap, basically it reacts with the sun. It's actually burning the skin.' According to the Ontario government, you should wear protective clothing and dispose of plants carefully if trying to remove small clusters of wild parsnip from your property. Wash the rubber gloves with soap and water and then take off your clothing. Dr. Roumeliotis says the important thing is to 'be aware' of wild parsnip to avoid contact. The City of Ottawa is spending $298,000 this year to deal with wild parsnip on municipal property. Wild parsnip examples Examples of the growth stages of the wild parsnip plant. (City of Ottawa/supplied) Giant Hogweed Dr. Roumeliotis says the giant hogweed is a relative to wild parsnip and can grow to five metres tall. 'Just like the wild parsnip, the giant hogweed sap is quite toxic,' Roumeliotis said. 'If you get into contact with it, put it in your eye, you can cause blindness or temporary loss of vision. It can cause blisters, burning and really bad things.' Roumeliotis said symptoms can occur within 48 hours and consists of 'painful blisters.' According to the Ontario government, giant hogweed has a scattered distribution from Manitoulin Island to Ottawa. 'About 10-12 years ago, we got some calls from the emergency room in my area, and they were telling us these kids came in with burns and burns in their eyes and burns all over and they had played with this big plant,' Roumeliotis said. 'We did some investigations, and it was the giant hogweed.' The Ontario government recommends hiring a professional exterminator to remove the giant hogweed from your property.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Fight the bite: Tips to deal with mosquito and bee stings this summer
The sunshine and warm temperatures this week may be having you spending more time outdoors, but it has also brought out the insects. Eastern Ontario medical officer of health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis dropped by CTV Morning Live to discuss tips to keep the bites from mosquitoes, bees and spiders at bay this summer. Mosquito bites Dr. Roumeliotis said 'aside from being annoying,' mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus. 'West Nile Virus is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito and can cause anything from a mild cold to brain injury. That's why we tell people to be careful of mosquitoes,' Roumeliotis said Wednesday morning. 'If you're going outside and you know that you're prone to mosquito bites, you can get the DEET.' He warns that children tend to have more aggressive reactions to mosquitoes, and their whole arm or face can swell. Dr. Roumeliotis says these are the signs of a mosquito bite and symptoms to watch out for: An itchy bump a few minutes after a mosquito bite A painful spot (hive) within 24 hours Large, swollen, red area where the bite occurred Swelling around the eye If you are bitten by a mosquito, the doctor recommends applying calamine lotion, rub an ice cub over the spot or take an oral antihistamine. 'If you get bitten by a mosquito and you don't get a reaction right away, you put heat on it,' Dr. Roumeliotis said, sharing a tip he received from a professor. 'It will actually deactivate the bite, and it won't really cause the bump.' To protect yourself while outdoors, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit offers the following tips: Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods or when mosquitoes are most active Use mesh bug jackets or hats Use mosquito netting or screened structures when sleeping outdoors Bee stings 'Bee stings are painful, and it causes sharp, burning pain and discolouration around the sting,' Dr. Roumeliotis said Wednesday morning. 'If you have a local reaction, you treat it with ice, calamine, (or) an antihistamine. If you have symptoms beyond the bite, for example, and you have difficulty breathing, that's a sign you're allergic to the bee sting itself. It's an emergency; you need to get emergency treatment and need an EpiPen for the future.' Systems to watch out for if you're stung by a been includes a sharp, burning pain, skin discolouration surrounding the sting, swelling and itchy sting. If you are stung by a bee, Dr. Roumeliotis recommends cleaning the wound, placing an ice pack on the area and taking an antihistamine or pain medication. You can also apply calamine lotion to the found. Spider bites Dr. Roumeliotis says you won't find poisonous spiders in Ottawa and eastern Ontario 'I'm talking about the run-of-a-mill spiders you get here.' The signs and symptoms of a spider bite to watch out for are a painful blister surrounded by a red skin colour. 'It's not a bite, it's not itchy; it's painful,' Roumeliotis said. If you suffer a spider bite, you're recommended to clean the bite area with warm water and soap, apply a cold washcloth to the area and take an antihistamine or over-the-counter pain reliever.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Tips to protect yourself from ticks this summer in Ottawa and eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario's top doctor is urging people to be 'tick aware' and protect yourself from tick bites when outside in backyards and the woods this spring and summer. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit warns tick-borne diseases are transmitted through a bite from an infected blacklegged tick. Medical officer of health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis told CTV Morning Live you will now find ticks closer to home, saying 'it's actually everywhere in Ottawa.' 'Ticks, ordinarily, like forests and woods, but a lot of people live off a forest or a treed area and they can climb into your backyard,' Roumeliotis said. 'It's important to be aware you have to be tick aware in your backyard, so tick proofing it – that's the important thing.' The most common disease caused by ticks is Lyme Disease, but ticks can also carry other diseases. 'The best way is to prevent ticks from coming into your area and knowing what to do if you get a tick on you, on your child and even on your pet,' Roumeliotis said. Ticks are most active in the summer months, but officials warn they can appear any time of the year when the temperature is above the freezing mark. Dr. Roumeliotis spoke with CTV News Ottawa about what you need to know about ticks. Size of ticks Dr. Roumeliotis says ticks are initially very small. 'The babies are like sesame seed size,' Roumeliotis said Wednesday morning. 'If they latch on to somebody, they'll suck the blood and they'll engorge and become the size of an apple seed and even to the size of a small coffee bean. Once they engorge on you, it's not hard to see them.' 042325_ticks lyme disease grand bend london miller A black-legged tick burrows into a person's arm (File Photo) What do I do if I'm exposed to a tick? The Eastern Ontario Health Unit says tick bites are 'usually painless,' and you may not realize you have been bitten. Roumeliotis says if you have been exposed to a tick for more than 24 hours, remove it immediately. You should also disinfect the area where the tick was removed from. 'Seek medical attention after you remove it because if it is carrying Lyme Disease, we will then give you antibiotics for a couple of days to prevent it from occurring in the first place,' Roumeliotis said. If a tick has been attached to you for less than 24 hours, the medical officer of health says you can remove it and 'don't worry about it.' The Eastern Ontario Health Unit recommends being on the lookout for signs and symptoms for the next 30 days. Removing a tick Dr. Roumeliotis says the best way to remove a tick is with tweezers. 'Go sideways, get (the tweezers) as low as possible to the skin, pinch (the tick) and pull it up,' Roumeliotis said. 'Do not twist, do not squeeze. Once you have it, you put it in alcohol, disinfect it, put it in a bag and you can throw it away.' Signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease Dr. Roumeliotis says Lyme Disease is a bacteria that the tick gets from biting a deer. 'It basically bites you and sucking your blood, it can actually inject the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease,' Roumeliotis said. 'Lyme Disease can be quite dangerous. It can cause symptoms ranging from pneumonia to skin rashes to even brain problems, that's why it's important for us to be aware.' Symptoms of Lyme Disease usually occur within three to 30 days after a tick bite. You may see a circular, red rash that may look like a 'bull's-eye,' according to officials. The health unit says symptoms of Lyme Disease may include: fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pains, stiff neck, fatigue, swollen glands and facial paralysis. How to avoid tick bites The Eastern Ontario Health Unit offers the following tips to keep ticks off you when outdoors: Wear light-coloured closing Wear closed footwear, socks, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants Use an insect repellent that has DEER or lcaridin on clothes and exposed skin Walk in the centre of cleared paths or trails Search your clothes and body for ticks after being outdoors The health unit recommends tips to discourage the presence of ticks around your home:
