News

Introducing Southeast Public Health

On Jan. 1, 2025, the former Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit merged to form a new organization to serve the communities across the region of Southeast Ontario. Today, that new organization is officially unveiling its new identity: Southeast Public Health (SEPH).

“The launch of our new name and visual identity is an exciting step forward in our journey as a new organization that is...

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SEHU recommends all adults over 75 and eligible adults 60 to 74 protect themselves against RSV

The Ontario government has expanded the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention program to include all individuals aged 75 years and older, helping to protect those most vulnerable during the upcoming respiratory illness season. Older adults, particularly those with existing health conditions, are more susceptible to severe disease and have an increased risk of RSV-related hospitalization and death.

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) recommends that those who are eligible for RSV protection...

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South East Health Unit Warns of Increased Overdoses in Brockville

The South East Health Unit (SEHU), along with the Brockville Police Services are reporting a higher than usual number of overdoses on Sept. 17, 2025 in Brockville. While current reports were initiated in the Brockville area, SEHU is extending this alert to the whole southeast region.

The SEHU, along with community partners, continues to caution the community of the ongoing unpredictability and toxicity of the unregulated drug supply in our communities. Naloxone continues to be recommended to...

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First two human cases of West Nile Virus this year in the South East Heath Unit region

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after one confirmed and one probable case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection have been identified in the region.
WNV is an infection spread to humans usually through the bite of an infected mosquito. Four out of five of people with WNV will experience no symptoms, while others may develop several days of mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and body aches, two to 15 days after being bitten by...

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Health Unit completes Salmonella investigation in Perth

Brockville – The South East Health Unit (SEHU) has completed the local investigation into an outbreak of Salmonellosis linked to individuals who ate at Rocky River Café in Perth Ontario, on or about July 15, 2025.

As part of the investigation, multiple follow-up inspections have been conducted at this food premise and SEHU is satisfied that there is no ongoing source of Salmonella infection related to this outbreak.

The operator of the Rocky River Café has been cooperative throughout the...

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Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found in Picton area

Belleville / August 5, 2025 – Recent surveillance conducted by the South East Health Unit (SEHU) has identified the presence of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus (WNv) in the Picton area. This is the first pool of mosquitoes that have tested positive for WNv in Prince Edward County this year, and is the second instance of the virus in the SEHU region after an American crow tested positive for the virus in Brockville in July. 

As part of the surveillance program, mosquito monitoring traps are...

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Concerning rise in carfentanil in local drug supply

Kingston — The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is alerting residents to a recent rise in unregulated drugs testing positive for the presence of carfentanil locally. 

The Kingston Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site has reported a concerning increase in expected fentanyl samples testing positive for the potent synthetic opioid carfentanil, considered to be up to 100 times stronger than fentanyl. The presence of carfentanil in the unregulated drug supply is cause for concern as its strength...

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Special Air Quality Statement

South East Health Unit — Environment Canada has issued Special Air Quality Statements for various areas within the South East Health Unit (SEHU) region. Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. Smoke from forest fires over the Prairies will continue to affect parts of the South East Health Unit region today. Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. Air quality is expected...

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Health Unit investigating exposure to salmonella in Perth

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is investigating an unusual number of cases of salmonella infection. As part of this investigation, we are requesting that members of the public who ate at the Rocky River Café on Wilson St., in Perth Ont., on or around July 15, 2025, and have experienced symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, contact SEHU.

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis and infection of the digestive tract as well as more serious illness such as sepsis. Common...

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South East Health Unit has issued an immediate closure order for North China Buffet, Belleville

Belleville - Following a serious breach of Ontario’s Food Premises Regulation, South East Health Unit (SEHU) has ordered closure of the North China Buffet, located at 300 Bell Blvd., Belleville, under a Section 13 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act requiring that the premises remain closed until the identified health hazards are eliminated and the operator can demonstrate full compliance with public health regulations. SEHU is working closely with the restaurant operator to ensure all...

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