Beach Monitoring
The WECHU conducts water sampling at eight public beaches in Windsor and Essex County from June to September. Public beaches that are part of the beach water quality monitoring program include: Sandpoint Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee North West Beach, Seacliff Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Cedar Beach, Colchester Beach, and Holiday Beach. Each week, bacteriological samples are collected across the beach front and tested for Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli exposure can lead to severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Water conditions, weather, and potential pollutants are also monitored and documented by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) as these factors, among others, impact water sampling results.
In 2024, beach monitoring season ran for a total of 15 weeks, with weekly water sampling conducted from May 22 to August 28, 2024. There were 27 water quality warnings issued (201-999 E. coli/100ml), and 9 beach closures (≥1000 E. coli/100ml).
Rabies Prevention
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. In Canada, bats, foxes, skunks, and raccoons are the most common transmitters of the disease.
All potential rabies exposure cases are required to be reported to the WECHU and are initiated within 24 hours of notification. Investigation includes an assessment of rabies risk in the animal species, the behaviour of the animal implicated, confinement of animals, and ensuring individuals requiring treatment have access to rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
In 2024, a total of 1,064 potential rabies exposure cases were investigated and followed up by the WECHU. Of these exposures, 90% were from dogs and cats.