Newsroom

• Families encouraged to update Grade 11 and 12 student immunization records by Sept. 21

  Aug 13, 2026
  
  
  
  SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding families of students entering Grades 11 and 12 to review and update their immunization records by Sept. 21. In many cases, students may already have received the required vaccines, but that information may not have been reported to the health unit.
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• Health unit urges caution around blue-green algae blooms

  Aug 13, 2026
  
  
  
  SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding residents and visitors to watch for blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in lakes and rivers and to avoid contact with water where blooms are present.
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• Mosquito pool in Barrie tests positive for West Nile virus

  Aug 11, 2026
  
  
  
  SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites after mosquitoes collected in Barrie tested positive for West Nile virus. The virus was also recently detected in a bird and a horse in Simcoe Muskoka. Currently, no human cases have been confirmed in Simcoe Muskoka in 2026. However, the positive results are a timely reminder to take precautions against West Nile virus.
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• Health unit reminds residents to protect against West Nile virus

  Jul 24, 2026
  
  
  
  SIMCOE MUSKOKA, Ont. – West Nile virus circulates in Simcoe Muskoka every summer, so the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reminding residents to take steps now to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
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• Health unit shares video on how to use naloxone

  Jul 22, 2026
  
  
  
  SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is sharing How to Use Naloxone, a brief training video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to recognize an opioid poisoning and respond using naloxone.
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• Stay safe during wildfire smoke events and hot weather

  Jul 15, 2026
  
  
  
  SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Simcoe Muskoka is experiencing its first air quality alert of the year due to wildfires in northern Ontario. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres and affect communities far from active fires. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reminds residents to take steps to protect themselves from exposure to wildfire smoke, know the signs of smoke-related illness and understand when to get medical care.
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