Environmental Health: Communicable Disease Surveillance, Investigation and Disease Management

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region conducts communicable disease investigation follow up related to food-borne, water-born, and vector-borne disease and outbreaks. Communicable disease can spread by food and water or be passed on from person to person while symptoms are active. It is important that suspected and confirmed communicable diseases be reported to public health. Trained public health personnel will assist in follow up to prevent the continued spread of food-borne and water-borne diseases in the community.

Food-borne illness complaints regarding public eating establishments are followed up by the Environmental Health Department. To report a complaint please call your local public health inspector.

• food-borne and water-borne disease follow-up;
• animal bite follow up/ rabies investigations;
• outbreak investigation;
• inspecting personal service facilities (tattooing, piercing and electrolysis);
• west nile virus follow-up; and
• investigating emerging diseases.

Food and water outbreaks investigations are conducted by the Environmental Health Department to prevent the spread of the disease in the community and to identify the source of the outbreak. Public Health Inspectors investigate complaints. To report a suspected outbreak please call your local public health inspector.

For more information on food-borne illnesses visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website.

Communicable diseases may be spread through food and water. The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region provides information on how to ensure that your food and water are safe. For more information click here.

Personal Service Facilities (tattooing, piercing and electrolysis)

Personal service facilities include tattooing, ear and body piercing and electrolysis. These facilities pose a risk of spreading infection Hepatitis B and C as well as HIV to customers. These facilities are regulated under the Health Hazard Regulations. Health Canada has guidelines to assist in the safe operation of personal service facilities.

Body and Face painting are popular temporary types of body art. Public Health Inspectors do not inspect body and face painting, but there are still hazards. There have been reports of unexpected results. For more information about how you can keep yourself and your family safe when getting your face or body painted, click here.

Manicures and Pedicures are popular aesthetic procedures and visible fashion statements. Although manicures and pedicures should not cause injury or infection, there are risks of disease, injury or allergic reaction. Nail Technicians and their clients can work together to reduce the risks. For more information about how you can reduce your risks when having a manicure or pedicure click here. Public Health Inspectors do not routinely inspect nail salons but will investigate complaints.

Hair Salons, Barber shops and hair stylists are inspected on a complaint basis only.

Animal Bite Follow Up/ Rabies Investigations

Rabies is an infection of the brain caused by the rabies virus. The rabies virus is passed on by the bite or scratch of an infected animal. If not treated rabies can result in death of the person or animal. All animal bites need to be reported to public health for follow up.

Rabies is present in Saskatchewan and is monitored by the health regions and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Medical staff treating patients for animal bites are required to report the animal bite incident to public health for follow up.

In Saskatchewan the animals most commonly associated with rabies are skunks and bats. We strongly recommend that pet owners vaccinate pets against rabies to protect both pets and their owners.

Here are some links to some useful information: