Emergency child care is being offered at licensed centres across Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Eligibility criteria can be found on the Province’s website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/child-care-health-care-and-frontline-staff#section-1). There is an online application (https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/childcare/) for eligible families to request emergency child care. HMC
April 14, 2020April 14, 2020
Online COVID-19 Test Results
Ontario has launched a new user friendly online portal (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/) for the public to easily access their COVID-19 lab test results. HMC
April 03, 2020April 3, 2020
Homemade hand sanitizers may present health risks
Health Canada is warning Canadians about the potential health risks of making and using homemade hand sanitizers, as homemade recipes and products are becoming increasingly common online. If you have made or used homemade hand sanitizer products, stop using them as the concentration of alcohol in many of these recipes may not be high enough to kill the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Homemade formulas may also present other health risks, such as skin irritation, increased sensitivity or allergies. HMC
March 31, 2020March 31, 2020
Stockpiling drugs can lead to local shortages: Canadians urged not to buy more medication than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic
Health Canada understands the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recognizes that Canadians may be concerned about not being able to get medications they rely on for themselves and their loved ones. While the Government of Canada recommends that Canadians refill their prescriptions now so that they do not have to go to a pharmacy if they become sick, we are urging patients not to buy more medication than usual. This will help ensure that all Canadians continue to have access to the medications they need and it will also help prevent drug shortages. HMC
March 28, 2020March 28, 2020
Health products that make false or misleading claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19 may put your health at risk
Health Canada has received reports about health products that make false or misleading claims related to COVID-19 and is taking action to address them. Health Canada has issued letters to multiple companies directing them to immediately remove these claims from their websites and advertising materials. These reports include a wide range of products that have been found to be associated with false and misleading claims including some masks, colloidal silver, some disinfectants, plant-based elixirs and formulas, hand sanitizers, Chaga mushroom blends, ultraviolet lamps, and oregano oil. HMC
March 20, 2020March 20, 2020
No scientific evidence that ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms
Health Canada is aware of reports, including on social media, that reference safety issues with the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 cases. There is no scientific evidence that establishes a link between ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms. The Government of Canada is monitoring the situation closely, including reviewing new information and reports as they become available, and will take the appropriate action to help protect the health and safety of Canadians.
March 09, 2020March 9, 2020
COVID-19
The first two cases in Peel Region were tested positive on March 4th who were a couple aboard Grand Princess Cruise Ship from February 11- 21 out of San Fransisco. Both are recovering at home in self-isolation. The risk to the public remains low. There is no evidence that COVID-19 is circulating in the community. All returning travellers from Iran and Hubei Province in China, persons under investigation (until informed that their test is negative), or close contacts of a confirmed case must self-isolate for 14 days. They should report to Public Health as soon as respiratory symptoms develop to be...
February 27, 2020February 27, 2020
Certain Metformin diabetes drugs recalled due to the presence of NDMA
Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is recalling six lots of its prescription RAN-Metformin drug from the Canadian market. Company testing identified two lots (#AJY8006A and #AJY8007A) with levels of NDMA above what is considered acceptable if the drug were to be taken over a lifetime. The company is recalling an additional four lots (#AJY8005A, #AJY8005B, #AJY8008A and #AJZ8005A) as a precautionary measure because they contain NDMA close to the acceptable limit.
February 03, 2020February 3, 2020
Update on 2019-nCoV
Canada has had 4 and Ontario 3 confirmed cases as of Feb 3, 2020. This are 29 cases under investigation in Ontario. There were no cases in Peel Region. Worldwide, 17485 confirmed cases and 362 deaths have been reported to date. Airborne droplet and contact precautions are highly recommended. If you have respiratory symptoms and travelled to Wuhan, Hubei, China for the past 14 days or have been in touch with a person who has, please contact your nearest Emergency or Public Health as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Howden Medical Clinic is not equipped to conduct screening testing. HMC
January 17, 2020January 17, 2020
Cardiology
We are sad to announce that our cardiologist had to leave our clinic. We apologize our community for the inconvenience. However, we do our best to replace another physician as soon as we can. Thanks for your patience and trusting us.
January 17, 2020January 17, 2020
Preliminary determination of a novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China
On December 31, 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases was reported associated with a live seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some cases were critically ill. To date, there are no suspected cases in Canada. Cases presented with high fever, difficulty breathing, and bilateral lung infiltrates on chest radiograph. There have been no reports of spread from person to person. The WHO did not recommend travel measures or restrictions at the time but Public Health Agency of Canada issued a notice on January 7, 2020 that travellers to Wuhan city avoid contact with live or dead animals.
December 25, 2019December 25, 2019
Health Canada warns Canadians about U-Dream herbal sleep-aid products after tests detect a substance similar to a prescription insomnia drug, which may pose serious health risks.
Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has tested several U-Dream Lite and U-Dream Full Night herbal sleep-aid products and has found that they contain a substance similar to the prescription drug zopiclone, which may pose serious health risks. The Department has suspended all of the company’s U-Dream and U-Dreams product licences, which means it is now illegal for any person or company to sell these products in Canada.
October 20, 2019October 20, 2019
Caution when taking Gabapentin or Pregabalin with Opioids
Health Canada is advising Canadians about the increased risk of opioid overdose and serious side effects when taking gabapentin (e.g., Neurontin) or pregabalin (e.g., Lyrica) with an opioid. HMC
October 15, 2019October 15, 2019
Some EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injectors may be difficult to remove from their carrier tubes.
Pfizer Canada has advised Health Canada that, in a very small number of cases, some EpiPen (0.3 mg) and EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) auto-injector devices may not slide out of their carrier tube easily, or at all. Although the chance of this occurring is very rare, failure to administer epinephrine as soon as possible during an anaphylactic response could lead to patient disability or death. The number of EpiPen or EpiPen Jr auto-injectors with this issue is estimated to be two auto-injectors out of every one million. HMC
September 16, 2019September 16, 2019
Health Canada assessing NDMA in ranitidine
Health Canada is informing Canadians that it is aware that the impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been detected in some ranitidine drugs. Health Canada is closely assessing the issue in collaboration with other regulators internationally, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. The Department will take action as needed, and will keep Canadians informed. HMC
August 21, 2019August 21, 2019
West Nile Virus
WNV is a mosquito-borne disease, endemic in Peel region since 2001. In 2018, there were 137 human WNV cases in Ontario; 6 of these were in Peel region. Peel region has not had any cases this year. However, we expect increased WNV activity in the coming weeks. The number of human WNV cases and positive mosquito pools varies from year to year, with weather and precipitation playing a significant role. Incubation period: typical 2-6 days but ranges from 2 to 15 days. Clinical presentation: Most cases are asymptomatic. Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, skin rash on the stomach, chest or back, swollen...
May 22, 2019May 22, 2019
U.S. Recorded 75 New Measles Cases Last Week
(Reuters) – The United States recorded 75 new measles cases last week, taking confirmed cases for the year so far to 839, the worst outbreak since 1994. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of cases of the highly contagious and sometimes deadly disease rose by 9.8% in the week ended May 10.  Public health officials blame the measles resurgence on the spread of misinformation about vaccines. A vocal fringe of parents oppose vaccines, believing, contrary to scientific studies, that ingredients in them can cause autism. Vaccinate yourselves as soon as possible. HMC
March 27, 2019March 27, 2019
Screen for Colon Cancer !
Colorectal Cancer Canada(CCC) states Colorectal Cancer (CRC) deaths are continuing to decline in Canada. This is likely due to improvements in treatment and diagnosis. The decline in CRC death rates are consistent with a relatively large contribution from screening and with a smaller impact of risk factor reductions. CRC develops from precancerous polyps. Screening tests can find polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer or can find CRC at an early stage when full recovery is very high. Unfortunately, approximately 9400 Canadians will still die from this disease this year (54% men , 46% women). CRC is the second...
March 13, 2019March 13, 2019
Exposure in Peel to a confirmed case of measles
Peel Public Health is issuing an alert that there has been an exposure to a confirmed case of measles within Peel Region. People who were on the following flights and in the following locations on February 22, 2019, may have been exposed to measles: Cathay Pacific flight CX5249, from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Hong Kong, China Air Canada flight AC-016 from Hong Kong, China to Toronto Pearson Airport(Terminal 1) on February 22, 2019 from 6:20 pm to 9:30 pm Additionally, people who were in the following locations on February 27, 2019, between the hours of 3pm- midnight may have been exposed...