Current Articles

As warmer weather approaches, many Canadians look forward to getting outdoors to enjoy summer time activities. Whether you’re hiking, camping, golfing, bird-watching, or just walking the dog, beware of ticks.¹

When infected black-legged ticks bite and remain attached for 24 hours, they transmit a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. The bite is usually painless, ¹ which is why doing a full body check for ticks after being outdoors is an important preventive measure.²

Lyme disease develops in stages. It usually begins with a red rash - often resembling a bull’s eye - around the bite location...  Read more

Canada has seen a sharp increase in group A streptococcus infections over the past year, with especially serious consequences for children and seniors. And we are not alone – physicians in the US, UK, and countries around the world have raised the alarm about the rise in rates of invasive group A strep (iGAS). Experts link the resurgence in strep A, as well as flu, to the lifting of pandemic restrictions early this year, after several years of social isolation and other infection control strategies...  Read more

Long strolls in the evenings chasing the sunset. Fresh, balmy nights spent on the backyard porch. Turning off the sprinklers late before bed. And… a chance encounter with a startled raccoon?! Beware of nocturnal animals – despite their adorable exteriors, they are not always harmless.

As much as we tend to romanticize the summer season, there are little creatures that go bump in the night that you may want to keep an eye out for. After all, incidences of rabies tend to skyrocket during the hotter months. Read on for tips on how to stay safe all summer long, and what options you have at your disposal if you think you may have been infected...  Read more