News

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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Board of Health Update for July 2025

Board of Health Update for July 2025

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

Governance Committee update

The Board approved the Appointment of External Advisors Policy. The policy ensures that the Medical Officer of Health/CEO or their designate can retain expertise from external advisors subject to budget availability and in alignment with procurement policies. External advisors may include...

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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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