Durham Region Health Department

🚦Obey traffic control signals and signs! They keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

🚗Learn more about how we are making safer at durham.ca/VisionZero.



Durham Region Health Department
Durham Regional Police Service

If you find a tick crawling or feeding on you or a family member, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

For tick identification, visit eTick.ca, a FREE online service that uses your photograph of the tick to identify its species.

Learn more durham.ca/ticks

☀️ Spending time outdoors this summer?

Take precautions to protect against West Nile virus. 🦟

Learn about West Nile virus and how to project yourself and your family.

Visit durham.ca/WestNile

Are you planning to be outdoors today? 🏃

Active people of all ages who exercise or work outdoors are at increased risk to the health effects posed by air pollution.

Be air aware and know the best times to be active outdoors by using the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to plan your day.

Visit durham.ca/airquality

Total coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly found in animal waste, sewage, soil and vegetation. They can also be present in the intestines of animals and humans.

While total coliforms are not likely to cause illness on their own, their presence is an important warning sign as it may mean that your water supply has been contaminated by more harmful microorganisms.

Regular testing of your well water helps keep your drinking water safe.

If you are unsure what your water sample results mean, the Health Department can help.

Call Durham Health Connection Line at 1-800-841-2729 or visit www.durham.ca/water

The Health Department no longer mails out forms to private property owners to request free larviciding of catch basins on private properties. 🏠

Residents can now submit an online request form to larvicide private property catch basins: https://forms.durham.ca/Health/Private-Property-Catch-Basin-Larviciding-Request

Ticks containing Lyme disease are in Durham Region. 📍

🔎 Check out the Ontario Vector-Borne Disease Tool to learn more about ticks in Ontario: https://bit.ly/3YxEMMN

Too hot to cook? Try a bowl meal! 🥣

Bowl meals are quick, easy and healthy. Best of all you don’t have to heat up the kitchen! 🔥 You can also use foods you already have at home.

Here’s an easy way to build your bowl:
🌾 Fill half your bowl with whole grains like brown rice, quinoa or farro.
🫘 Add protein to about 1/4 of your bowl. Try black beans, lentils, hard boiled eggs, leftover chicken thighs or canned tuna.
🍅 Fill the rest with fresh or cooked vegetables and fruit. Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh local produce!
🥗 Finish with your favourite dressing or sauce for extra flavour.

For more tips on shopping and cooking, visit durham.ca/shoppingandcooking

Updated beach water test results are now available on the Health Department's online disclosure portal, Check&GO! Durham.

Beaches are posted when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the provincial standard.

View current test results on Check&GO! Durham: durham.ca/BeachResults

In 2025, Durham Region experienced approximately 55 suspected opioid-related deaths.

One is too many!

On Aug. 31, communities around the world will mark International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to prevent further harm.

This year’s theme is 𝟐𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧. 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝.

Join community agencies across Durham Region on Aug. 31 at 61 Charles St. (outside Ontario Tech University's Charles Hall) from 11am to 3pm to learn about local supports, pick up a naloxone kit and come together to remember and reflect.