A communicable disease is a disease that spreads from one person or animal to another. These diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. When those micro-organisms cause illness we call them pathogens.

A person may get infected by:

• Direct contact with an infected person
• Contact with contaminated bodily fluids, such as blood, mucus, or saliva
• Inhaling droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
• Animal bites from dogs or bats (which may carry Rabies virus)
• Insect bites, such as ticks or mosquitoes carrying Lyme Disease or West Nile Virus
• Consuming contaminated food or water

Environmental Public Health Officers (EPHOs) play a critical role in communicable disease as they investigate reports of communicable disease and outbreaks, conduct risk assessment and follow up with affected individuals or communities, provide education on infection prevention and control and support communities on how to reduce the risk of being infected.

Our Water Quality Analyst in collaboration with the EPHO ensures access to clean and safe drinking water by collecting water samples to test for bacteria and unwanted chemicals. If test results indicate a risk to the public, the EPHO will recommend appropriate safeguards such as issuing a Boil Water Advisory to ensure the safety of the community.

Provide water testing supplies for water treatment operators in our First Nation communities to support routine monitoring and system maintenance. We deliver training for new Community Based Drinking Water Monitors, helping build knowledge and capacity to protect community water sources.

In addition, we offer education and resources on key topics such as:

• Protecting source water from contamination
• Understanding and selecting appropriate water treatment system options
• How to disinfect your well
• How to collect water samples
• How to read and interpret water sample test results

Environmental Public Health Officers:

• Provide public health inspections of public and social housing upon request. Inspections may include the evaluation of indoor air quality, mold and other environmental contaminants, pest infestations, water supply and waste disposal, general safety and structural conditions and overcrowding.
• Review housing plans, renovations and new housing developments from a public health perspective to identify and mitigate potential health risks
• Provide advice, guidance and recommendations to Chief and Council, community housing workers and occupants to all stages of housing including: site selection and design, construction and occupancy and renovation

Environmental Public Health Officers receive, review and inspection applications for:

• New septic system installations
• Septic tank replacement
• Repair of an old or malfunctioning system

They will also review plans for community wastewater treatment facilities and respond to reports of sewage spills, backups or overflows.

When reviewing new applications or inspecting septic systems, weensure all systems comply with Ontario Building Code standards. These standards are designed to protect groundwater source from contamination, ensure safe distances between septic systems and nearby bodies of water (e.g. lakes, rivers and streams) and reduce environmental and health risks associated with improper wastewater disposal.

Offer support through food safety inspections, education and outbreak response. This includes conducting inspections and offering recommendations in existing food premises and new food establishments, educating community members on safe food handling practices, issuing health alerts and product recall notices, based on information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and investigating food-related outbreaks, providing guidance on how to reduce risk and protection during an outbreak.

• Provides inspection of evacuation centres and recommendations to ensure appropriate accommodation standards related to: overcrowding, sewage and waste disposal
• Monitor the safety and quality of drinking water supplies, air quality and sanitation facilities
• Assess food services, including safe food handling, storage, preparation, distribution of food
• Promote infection prevention and control practices to reduce the spread of communicable disease
• Collaborate with local social service agencies to address shared concerns related to evacuation centres, food safety, and water security
• Conduct surveillance and manage public health responses during infectious disease cases and outbreaks

The EPH program conducts inspections and offers consultations to the following facilities:

• Daycares
• Schools
• Day camps
• Homes for the Elderly
• Residential and group homes
• Food premises
• Other publicly used facilities

The primary goal of these inspections is to offer advice, recommendations and education that support safe environments and promote Mino Ayawin, good health, for all.