Durham Region News

World No Tobacco Day is May 31, and Durham Region Health Department is supporting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) message revealing how tobacco and nicotine industries design their products to get young people stuck in a cycle of addiction. These industries continue to target young people through flavoured products, social media and other marketing tactics that contribute to increased use and addiction. 

May is Rabies Awareness Month, and Durham Region Health Department is reminding educators, health care providers, veterinarians, police services and all residents to report any animal bites or scratches involving humans to the Health Department.

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department will begin its West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance and control program for the 2026 season between May 11 and June 8. This program includes surveillance for larval mosquito activity, administering larvicide in catch basins and surface water sites, and adult mosquito trapping to test for WNV throughout Durham Region.

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department has received confirmation of an additional case of measles related to a previous exposure site. This highlights the importance of providing measles exposure information to the public.

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department has received confirmation of two additional cases of measles in local unimmunized children. This brings the total to three confirmed cases, all of which reside in one household.

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department has received confirmation of a case of measles in a local unimmunized child.

The Health Department is investigating and following up directly with known contacts in Durham Region who may have been exposed to the measles virus.

Whitby, Ontario – January 18 to 24 is National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW) and Durham Region Health Department is reminding everyone that it's never too late to quit smoking. NNSW is a time to highlight the harms of nicotine addiction and to bring awareness of the support, encouragement and education available to those who are trying to quit smoking and vaping.

Whitby, Ontario – Curbside Giveaway Day is back to help you turn your unwanted goods into someone else’s treasure! Curbside Giveaway Day is an event organized in co-operation with the local area municipalities, where residents can place unwanted items still in good condition—clearly marked as “Free”—on their curb for anyone to pick up. At the end of the Curbside Giveaway Day, residents should bring any items that were not taken back into their homes.

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department has received notification that adult mosquitoes in Uxbridge have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNv) disease. There have now been 26 mosquito batches in Durham Region that have tested positive for the virus this season including five in Clarington, nine in Oshawa, four in Ajax, six in Pickering, one in Whitby and one in Uxbridge.

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department has received notification that adult mosquitoes in Whitby have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNv) disease. There have now been 19 mosquito batches in Durham Region that have tested positive for the virus this season including four in Clarington, seven in Oshawa, three in Ajax, four in Pickering and one in Whitby.