Germs are everywhere. They can be found on surfaces, in food and water, as well as in our own body substances (e.g., droplets produced when we cough and sneeze, mucous, stool, and blood). Luckily, there are many ways to reduce the number of illness-causing germs from getting into our bodies and making us sick.

Cleaning your hands and covering your cough and sneeze are examples of ways to prevent germs from getting into your body and/or passing them on to others. In fact, the single most important thing you can do to prevent infections is keep your hands clean.

York Region public health staff promote high standards of infection prevention practices in facilities (e.g., long-term care homes, hospitals and other residential settings), child care centres and schools, personal services settings, (e.g., salons, nail parlours, tattoo and body piercing studios) and the community. This is achieved through inspections, on-going consultation, surveillance, outbreak management support and disease follow-up (including after-hours response) and educational resources.

After-Hours Response
A public health investigator can be called to discuss any infectious disease or respiratory/enteric outbreak concerns during non-business hours. Non-business hours are between the hours of 4:30 pm – 8:30 am during week days or weekends/holidays. Please call 905-953-6478 during after-hours. During regular business hours please call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.

Child Care Settings
These settings provide temporary care for children and may include day nurseries, before and after school programs and camps.

Community Settings
There are many community settings some of which include: community centres (arenas, libraries, gyms), places of worship, retail shopping centres, movie theatres, parks, etc..

Education
Public health staff are available to provide education sessions on various infection prevention and control topics for groups of 10 or more. To book a session, please call York Region Health Connection at 1-800 361-5653.

Health Care Professionals
Health care professionals provide health care services to patients/clients/residents in a variety of settings.

Influenza
Influenza is an acute respiratory illness often associated with a fever. It is easily passed from person to person. It is a vaccine preventable disease and you are encouraged to get your flu shot every fall.  You may obtain up-to-date information on the influenza and vaccine by reviewing the annual statement issued by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). For community clinic information, please visit www.york.ca/flu.   

Facility Settings - Including Outbreak Response
These facilities provide care for those who cannot live independently or need supervised nursing care. These settings may include: long-term care homes; hospitals; retirement homes and group homes.

Animals in Public Settings
Public animal settings include fairs, petting zoos and farms where visitors can physically interact with animals.

Schools
Schools settings include those places where students (children or adults) attend to become educated.

Personal Service Settings
Personal service settings include but are not limited to: spas (offering aesthetic services such as waxing and facials), nail treatment salons, piercing and tattoo studios, and hair dressing salons.

Workplaces
These include but are not limited to settings such as an office, store or factory, where people are employed.

For more information on infection prevention and control or to speak with a Public Health Inspector, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.