CK Public Health

02/18/2026

🌳 Teachers, we need you! 🌳

Is your schoolyard in need of more shade or green space? The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, in partnership with Chatham‑Kent Public Health, is once again offering FREE native tree species to schools through the Tomorrow’s Greener Schools Today initiative!

This program helps schools:
✔️ Increase tree cover and provide natural shade
✔️ Reduce exposure to harmful UV rays
✔️ Support student learning about trees, conservation, and healthy ecosystems

Interested in bringing more green to your school community?
📩 Email us at ckphucommunications@chatham-kent.ca for more details!

Let’s grow a greener tomorrow - together. 🌱✨

02/17/2026

CK Public Health is proud to be a partner and active member of the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team’s (CKOHT) Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Oppression Action Team. We know that racism harms people’s health and affects the care they receive. Together with the CKOHT, we are committed to taking real action to address racism and discrimination in our community.

The Anti-Black Racism campaign reminds us that racism is still happening in our community – and we must do better. That’s why the Action Team is committed to:
✔ Dismantling anti-Black racism in health care
✔ Improving cultural competency and sensitivity training
✔ Building a more diverse and representative health care workforce
✔ Strengthening inclusive policies and anti-racism practices
✔ Working with the community to rebuild trust
✔ Supporting patient advocacy and safe, equitable care for all

We are honoured to work with partners who are committed to meaningful, measurable change.

Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team’s Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression Action Team has launched an anti-Black racism campaign to spread awareness and collectiv...

02/11/2026

⚠️ CK Public Health Alerts Community to Infection Control Lapse ⚠️

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has identified lapses in the sterilization and reprocessing of medical equipment at the Chatham Skin Clinic (Dr Queenette Emem Asuquo, practicing physician), located at 125 Keil Dr., South Chatham ON) from October 1, 2024, to January 30, 2026. Such lapses in infection control processes may be associated with the transmission of blood borne illnesses including HIV and Hepatitis. Patients who received treatment at this clinic may have underwent medical procedures including skin biopsies as well as the administration of cosmetic treatments.

If you have received procedural treatment at the Chatham Skin Clinic during the previously mentioned dates, CK Public Health recommends contacting your Health Care Provider. Speaking with a healthcare provider can help you understand your personal risk for blood-borne infections, and determine if testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV would be beneficial. Individuals who do not have a health care provider are advised to visit a walk-in clinic for assessment.

Dr. Queenette Emem Asuquo, the physician practicing at the Chatham Skin Clinic, is also available to address any questions related to this occurrence.

Read the full media release at www.ckpublichealth.com/newsroom

02/11/2026

⚠ OFFICE CLOSURE: CK Public Health offices will be closed on Monday, February 16 2026, for Family Day.

❗️PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance of well water samples will be paused starting Friday, February 13 at 11:00 a.m. until regular office hours resume on Tuesday, February 17 at 8:30 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

02/10/2026

🌱 A New Community Garden Could Be Coming to Your Neighbourhood! 🌱

The CK Food Policy Council, in partnership with CK Public Health, are exploring new community garden locations across Chatham-Kent and we want to hear from YOU! Whether you're interested in growing your own food or stepping up as a volunteer garden site leader, take a moment to fill out our short survey by April 1, 2026:
👉 www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/gardens

Tell us if you'd like to garden or volunteer at one of these proposed sites:
• Ward 1 – Tilbury: Kirkham Park (94 Massey Dr)
• Ward 2 – Blenheim: Forsyth Park (24 Garry Ave)
• Ward 3 – Thamesville: Ferguson Park (2 Wallace St)
• Ward 3 – Bothwell: Victoria Park (498 Elm St W)

Final site selection will be based on community interest and having a volunteer site leader to help oversee the garden.

🌼 The new community garden is planned to open May 2026 - let’s grow something great together!

02/09/2026

🍎Is your little one starting school this fall? Get them ready with fun, engaging activities the whole family can enjoy! 🍎

Join CK Public Health for our virtual Ready for School parenting class on February 25, 2026, from 6:30–7:30pm.

📞 Register by calling 519‑352‑7270 ext. 2903
📱 Or text 519‑359‑6413

Don’t wait - sign up today! 🎒💛

02/06/2026

🥕 Residents Invited to Help Select New Community Garden Location 🍅

The Chatham Kent Food Policy Council, in partnership with CK Public Health, are inviting residents to help select the site for the next community garden in Chatham-Kent.

Individuals interested in growing food or volunteering as a garden site leader are asked to complete a short survey at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/gardens by April 1st, 2026.

Residents are invited to indicate their interest in gardening and/or volunteering at one of the following proposed sites:

• Ward 1 – Tilbury: Kirkham Park (94 Massey Dr)
• Ward 2 – Blenheim: Forsyth Park (24 Gary Avenue)
• Ward 3 – Thamesville: Ferguson Park (2 Wallace St)
• Ward 3 – Bothwell: Victoria Park (498 Elm St W)

The selected location will be based on community interest and the presence of a volunteer garden site leader to help oversee the site. The new community garden is set to open in May 2026.

Read the full media release at www.ckpublichealth.com/newsroom

02/06/2026

⚠ Extreme Cold Warning Issued for Chatham-Kent ⚠

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for Chatham-Kent. A prolonged period of very cold wind chills near minus 30 degrees celsius is expected tonight (February 6) into tomorrow morning (February 7). Wind chills near minus 30 degrees celsius may return Saturday night (February 7) into Sunday morning (February 8).

Individuals lacking shelter, water, or food are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme cold. Anyone experiencing homelessness should call the Homeless Response Line at 519-354-6628 (24/7) for support.

To learn more about extreme cold please visit: www.ckpublichealth.com/extreme-cold

To read the full release please visit: www.ckpublichealth.com/newsroom

02/02/2026

⚠ Media Release: CK Public Health Celebrates Baby-Friendly Initiative Redesignation

CK Public Health has been awarded the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) redesignation by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada. This redesignation demonstrates CK Public Health’s ongoing commitment to supporting breastfeeding in Chatham-Kent.

Being “Baby Friendly” means that CK Public Health:
✅ Gives families clear, consistent, and accurate information about breastfeeding their babies
✅ Offers supportive, non judgmental help with breastfeeding
✅ Offers support to mothers who are not breastfeeding, and/or have discontinued breastfeeding
✅ Trains staff to provide high quality care for parents and newborns
✅ Supports strong, healthy relationships between parents and their babies

You can read the full media release here: www.ckphu.com/newsroom

01/29/2026

⚠ CK Public Health Warns of Increased Drug Poisonings in Chatham-Kent ⚠

CK Public Health is issuing an alert about an increase in drug poisonings (overdoses) and unexpected reactions to substances in Chatham Kent. Evidence of increased risk locally is based on recent opioid-related EMS calls, emergency department visits, and suspected drug related deaths.

Partners and people with lived experience are concerned that medetomidine may be present in the local drug supply, contributing to increased risk of drug poisoning. Medetomidine is a veterinary sedative, similar to xylazine (“tranq”), but significantly stronger.

Naloxone does not work on medetomidine because medetomidine isn’t an opioid. However, medetomidine is often found in combination with opioids, so giving naloxone can still help by reversing the opioid‑related respiratory depression. The person may remain very sedated or unconscious, since naloxone won’t affect the medetomidine itself.

Medetomidine can cause deep sleepiness, a slow heart rate, low blood pressure, very low or no pulse, and hallucinations. Withdrawal can occur rapidly within hours of last use and peak within 18-36 hours. Medetomidine withdrawal is considered a medical emergency and may require hospitalization. Long periods of sedation can leave people vulnerable to assault, extreme cold, or other environmental dangers.

This serves as an important reminder that the unregulated drug supply is unpredictable and always changing. Substances may not be what individuals expect, increasing the risk of harm or death.

Share this warning to help raise awareness and reduce the risk of drug poisonings.

To read the full media release, and learn what you should do in case of overdose or if you use substances, please visit www.ckphu.com/newsroom

01/29/2026

⚠ Extreme Cold Warning Issued for Chatham-Kent ⚠

Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for Chatham-Kent beginning tonight (January 29) into tomorrow morning (January 30). Wind chill values of minus 30 to minus 35 degrees Celsius are expected tonight through tomorrow morning.

Individuals lacking shelter, water, or food are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme cold. Anyone experiencing homelessness should call the Homeless Response Line at 519-354-6628 (24/7) for support.

To learn more about extreme cold please visit: www.ckpublichealth.com/extreme-cold

To read the full release please visit: www.ckpublichealth.com/newsroom

01/29/2026

Is your child missing any of their immunizations? CK Public Health can help.

We're able to check your child's immunization record and find out what immunizations are needed. After that, we can schedule you into one of our many vaccine clinics offered across Chatham-Kent.

Simply call us at 519-352-7270 ext 2457 to book an appointment.

No judgement, just help.

www.ckpublichealth.com/child-immunizations