Here are the health stories we're watching in Windsor-Essex this year

New treatment models for people experiencing mental health or addictions issues, the spread and surveillance of bird flu and boosting immunity against harmful illnesses: These are some of the top health issues CBC Windsor will be tracking this year. 

Will Windsor-Essex get a new treatment facility for addictions? 

In the coming weeks, Windsor-Essex will learn whether it has been approved by the provincial government for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hub. This would provide more resources to tackle the ongoing drug toxicity crisis.

In August last year, the provincial government decided it will move away from drug consumption and treatment sites. Instead, it earmarked $378 million to build 19 HART hubs and 375 highly supportive housing units. 

Site applications were due by the end of October. Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare CEO Bill Marra said in September that the hospital was the lead agency applying for a hub. 

Marra said at the time he was confident that Windsor would secure one. The hubs are expected to be operational as of April 1. 

As part of its hub announcement, the government created a policy that prevents drug consumption and treatment services (CTS) sites from being located within two kilometres of a daycare or school. The government said it also wouldn't be approving any more sites. 

Windsor's CTS, SafePoint, closed as of Jan. 1, 2024 while it was awaiting provincial approval and funding. After the government's announcement, its application was thrown out. 

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), which operated the site in partnership with Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, ended SafePoint's tenancy in October.

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Windsor-Essex's medical officer of health, told CBC News the health unit has created a new department dealing with substance use prevention and harm reduction. 

Is involuntary drug treatment a possibility?

Despite disapproval and uncertainty from health care experts, politicians in Canada voiced their support for involuntary treatment in 2024.

The idea of forced addiction treatment was raised by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown when he requested the province allow for involuntary treatment, something that would require changes to provincial legislation. 

Currently in Ontario a person can be temporarily held without their permission if they are considered to be dangerous to themselves or others, if deemed necessary by a doctor. There is a process involved that allows the person to challenge the decision. 

In October, Windsor's city council sent a letter to the province expressing interest in any future pilot that involves involuntary care and addresses the worsening drug and mental health crises. 

The province has not said whether it would pursue any sort of pilot program related to this. 

A few weeks later, head of Hotel Dieu Grace, Marra, told CBC News he didn't think this was the right direction.

Marra, along with other health care experts, emphasize that there isn't enough evidence to suggest involuntary care works and says it could violate a person's charter rights. 

Bird flu has been found in Windsor-Essex birds. What does that mean? 

Wings Rehabilitation Centre, located in Amherstburg, found that several birds in its care tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5NX) late last month. 

As a result, the centre warned people that if they come in contact with an injured bird, they should wear gloves and a mask, as well as thoroughly wash their hands and clothes after. 

While there have been no reported human cases in Windsor-Essex, Dr. Aloosh said its something they continue to monitor. 

"Our hospitals test for possible bird flu and send it to Public Health Ontario. Their lab tests it for different types of avian flu and they will inform us quickly," he said. 

"At this time, the risk to humans remains low."

He advises people to avoid animals that seem sick, to wash their hands and ensure they are safely consuming food, like fully cooking meat. 

Researchers at the University of Windsor also recently teamed up to track bird flu in the region, the university said. According to a statement, because Windsor-Essex borders the U.S. and has a rich array of migratory birds, it's a key spot to keep track of the type of influenza infections in Windsor-Essex.

Michigan is also tracking the virus closely in birds and cattle. Last year, the state reported two avian flu cases in farmworkers.

Increasing infectious diseases

From the first rabies case in decades to spikes in whooping cough and measle cases, Ontario saw some infectious diseases resurface last year. 

According to data from the local health unit, Windsor-Essex recorded one measles case last year — the first since reporting started in 2014. 

To ensure people are protected, Dr. Aloosh says the health unit plans to continue to focus on education and awareness when it comes to getting vaccinated. 

"I hope that working with our community partners ... we increase the level of vaccination for diseases that are preventable in school-age children to protect them from severe diseases and even deadly diseases and various types of cancer," he said.

Aloosh said he encourages people to speak to their doctors to get all vaccines that they are eligible for. 

If you have a health story you want to share or if there's a health issue you'd like us to dig into, please email our reporter Jennifer La Grassa at jennifer.lagrassa@cbc.ca or send an email to our newsroom at windsor@cbc.ca.