News Releases

Rabies Awareness Month provides a reminder to avoid contact with wildlife

All animal bites, scratches must be reported to Health Department

Whitby, Ontario – May is Rabies Awareness Month, and Durham Region Health Department is reminding area residents to avoid contact with wildlife, as rabies is commonly associated with bats, foxes, skunks and raccoons. Infected animals can transmit the rabies virus to humans through bites, scratches, or saliva. Although rabies is a preventable disease, it is almost always fatal for humans and most animals once infection occurs. In...

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Health Department urges everyone to take precautions against tick bites

Whitby, Ontario – As the weather warms up and outdoor activities increase, Durham Region Health Department reminds everyone to take precautions against tick bites, which can lead to Lyme disease infections.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Blacklegged ticks are widespread across Durham Region, especially in forested or grassy...

Previous Grandview Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre is future location for Regional services

Whitby, Ontario – The Region of Durham has signed an Agreement of Purchase and Sale to purchase the land and building of the original Grandview Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre for future use to deliver Regional services. Durham Regional Council approved the purchase of the one-story building, and surrounding land at 600 Townline Road South, in the City of Oshawa (Townline site). The Townline site offers an ideal location to offer community-based child care and Early Years programs and...

Health Department begins 2025 West Nile virus surveillance program

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department will begin West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance and control program for the 2025 season on May 12. This program includes adult mosquito trapping to test for WNV, surveillance for larval mosquito activity, and administering larvicide in catch basins and surface water sites throughout Durham Region.

New for this season, the Health Department will no longer mail forms to private property owners for owners to request larviciding of catch basins located...

Region of Durham, one of only eight Canadian municipalities with Triple A credit rating from Moody’s

Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham’s Triple A credit rating has been reaffirmed by Moody’s Investors Service for the 32nd consecutive year, placing Durham among only eight Canadian municipalities with this distinction.

By maintaining a Triple A credit rating, Durham and its eight local municipalities benefit from lower long-term borrowing costs, especially during periods when significant investment is required.  

Moody’s cited Durham’s strong fiscal management, exceptional...