News

Special Air Quality Statement and Heat Warning Issued for the SEHU Region

Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement alongside the Heat Warning for the South East Health Unit (SEHU) region. When there’s an extreme heat event happening, indoor temperatures can get very high. When extreme heat and wildfire smoke occur at the same time, protecting yourself from heat is the priority.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath, Public Health suggests you consider reducing or rescheduling...

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Heat warning issued for South East Health Unit region

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the South East Health Unit region. The extreme heat is expected to last until Wednesday, July 16. The Health Unit is sending a reminder that high temperatures may impact your health.

Heat warnings are issued when:

• Daytime temperature of 31 C or higher and nighttime temperature not cooler than 20°C lasts for at least two days, or;
• Humidex of 40 C for at least two days are expected.

Becoming overheated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat...

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South East Health Unit Alert: Alarming Increase in Napanee-area Drug Poisonings

Kingston —The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is alerting residents to a recent rise in drug-involved poisonings within the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) region.

Napanee-area partners have noted an increase in drug-involved poisonings reportedly resulting in significant harm and death since July 3. Partners noted these harms occurred after use of drugs from the unregulated street drug supply, including substances expected to be fentanyl and cocaine. While current reports were...

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Board of Health Update for June 2025

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) Board of Health met today in Kingston for the regular monthly meeting. The agenda package is available online.

Merger update

A progress update on merger activities was provided to the Board and can be reviewed in the agenda package. The merger work is being done in parallel with the program work of public health. Areas of significant merger work include, but are not limited to:

• Selection of branding (logo and tagline etc.) for the merged agency, which will be...

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South East Health Unit to unveil new art installation honouring Indigenous representation

Kingston – On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the South East Health Unit (SEHU) will unveil new commissioned artwork by Indigenous artist Judi Montgomery at its Kingston office. Montgomery’s artwork, to be permanently displayed in the public health office foyer, reflects Indigenous perspectives on health, wellness, identity and belonging. It embodies SEHU’s commitment to health equity and the meaningful inclusion of Indigenous voices in health-care environments.

The SEHU Kingston office (formerly KFL&A...

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Multi-day heat warning issued for South East Health Unit region

Environment Canada has issued a warning for the entirety of the South East Health Unit (SEHU) area for a multi-day heat event that began on Sunday. For specific information about the alerts in your area, please visit Environment Canada’s Weather Information page.  

Conditions during high heat and humidity have the potential to cause dehydration and heat illnesses, which include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps...

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The South East Health Unit Celebrates Pride

June is Pride month. Pride is both a celebration of the diverse sexualities, genders and gender expressions of individuals that make up our communities, and a movement to increase visibility and awareness of the inequities that impact 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. The South East Health Unit (SEHU) has an important role to play in advocating for health equity.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are determinants of health that can have a significant impact on the health outcomes of individuals and...

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Special Air Quality Statement for the SEHU region

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. Wildfire smoke is expected over the area today. The potential for ground level smoke may continue tonight into Friday for some areas.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help people make decisions to protect their health by limiting exposure to air pollution. 

If you are...

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PSA: Special Air Quality Statement

Kingston — Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the following areas:

• Bannockburn
• Bon Echo Park
• Consecon
• Frontenac Islands
• Kaladar
• Kingston
• Napanee
• Odessa
• Plevna
• Sharbot Lake
• South Frontenac
• Sydenham
• Tamworth
• Western Lanark County

Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. Wildfire smoke is expected over the area today. The potential for ground level smoke may continue tonight into Friday for some areas.

AQHI is a scale designed to help people make...

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World No Tobacco Day 2025

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), an occasion to draw attention to the harms of commercial tobacco use and to encourage quit attempts among people who smoke or vape. It is important to recognize the distinction between harmful commercial tobacco and traditional tobacco, which is sacred to many Indigenous Peoples, and used in cultural ceremonies, prayers, and offerings.

This year’s WNTD theme set by the World Health Organization is “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco...

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