Siksika Public Health
Oki! Siksika Health’s CDC team promotes healthy behaviours and safe, healthy environments. The CDC team keeps track of health trends, and responds to new public health threats. The CDC team works with Indigenous Services Canada to help prevent and control disease in Siksika Nation. The CDC team is part of Siksika’s Community Health department.
To contact the Siksika CDC team, please call 403-734-5720 and leave a voicemail.
Hours of operation are 9:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday.
Current Situation
Siksika Health Services is presently managing 5 active cases of COVID-19; 3 new cases have been identified since the Sept. 14th update, and 2 recovered within the same timeframe.
Those with new or worsening symptoms of any kind should continue to stay home, self-isolate and test for COVID-19. Sick individuals with any type of symptom SHOULD NOT attend and/or host gatherings
COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatment
Siksika Health Services strongly encourages Nation members to receive all COVID-19 vaccine doses they are eligible for as soon as possible.
COVID-19 immunization is available for Siksika Nation members, and for community members from the surrounding areas on a walk-in basis at the Siksika Health & Wellness Centre on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00am-4:00pm. No appointments are required.
The COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months – 5 years will be available starting Tuesday, August 16 by appointment only. Appointments can be booked by calling Siksika Community Health reception at 403-734-5624.
In-home COVID-19 immunization appointments can be scheduled via the Immunization Special Forces vehicle by calling Siksika Home Care at 403-734-5695.
Medication:
Early outpatient treatment for COVID-19 is available for high risk individuals who have contracted COVID-19. This medication treatment can help reduce the severity of COVID-19 infection and the chance of requiring hospitalization.
Symptomatic individuals with a positive COVID test and any one of the following conditions should call the CDC team for advice:
- Unvaccinated or received only 1 or 2 doses of COVID vaccine;
- Diabetes;
- Obesity;
- Chronic kidney disease;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma;
- Immunocompromised (such as from chemotherapy, prednisone, or medications for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis);
- Organ transplant recipients; or
- Worked at or resides in a supported living facility (such as Elder’s lodge)
- Home COVID testing should be done at the start of any symptoms, as treatment usually has to be started within 5 days of symptom onset, if eligible.
Anyone who is a close contact of COVID, who develops symptoms but tests negative at home, and has one of the conditions listed above, should also call CDC for advice.
Testing:
COVID PCR testing will be available, as required, at the Siksika Health & Wellness Centre between 9:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday.
Those with new or worsening symptoms of any kind should continue to stay home, self-isolate and test for COVID-19. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 with a home rapid test are also encouraged to isolate until symptoms subside, and contact Siksika’s CDC Team at 403-734-5720 for additional support and guidance.
Home COVID-19 rapid testing can help identify and prevent spread of COVID-19. Rapid test kits are available for Siksika Nation members free-of-charge at locations across Siksika:
- Siksika Health & Wellness Centre
- M&R (Boy Chief Trading Post)
- Petro-Canada
- Siksika Trail Market
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with Monkeypox virus. The virus is related to the smallpox virus, but typically causes less serious disease. The risk to Siksika Nation members is low.
How does it spread?
- direct physical contact, including sexual contact, and contact with monkeypox skin lesions or scabs
- prolonged exposure to respiratory droplets of an individual infected with monkeypox
- contact with contaminated materials used by an infected person, such as clothing, bedding or towels
Monkeypox can spread to others from the time symptoms start until the scabs fall off and new skin can be seen, usually 2 to 4 weeks. Scabs contain virus that can spread the illness to others, and should be carefully disposed of.
Monkeypox Symptoms:
Monkeypox infection is usually a mild illness that resolves without treatment. Most people recover within several weeks, however severe illness can occur in some individuals. Symptoms can develop 5 to 21 days after exposure to the virus and generally begin with:
- fever or chills
- swollen lymph nodes
- headache
- muscle, joint or back pain
- exhaustion
- painful rash on face, palms of hands or soles of feet
To protect yourself and prevent monkeypox:
- avoid skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact with anyone who has symptoms
- minimize the number of sexual partners you have
- clean hands, objects and surfaces that have been touched regularly
- don’t share personal items with others
- wear a mask if you are in close proximity with someone who has symptoms
Monkeypox Vaccine:
Also called Imvamune or Imvanex, the vaccine contains a live vaccinia virus that’s designed to prevent infection for those who are at high risk for monkeypox. It’s a two-dose vaccine that you’ll take 4 weeks apart. The injection is given under the skin and usually doesn’t cause a reaction.
Eligibility:
Alberta residents 18 years+ are eligible for the monkeypox vaccine include:
- transgender, cisgender or two-spirit individuals who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community and who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- have received a recent (in the last 6 months) diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection
- are planning to have, or in the past 90 days had, sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship.
To Access the Monkeypox Vaccine:
Due to limited availability, anyone who is eligible and is interested in receiving the monkeypox vaccine must call Health Link at 1-866-301-2668 to review eligibility and book an appointment.
Monkeypox Treatment:
Treatment options may be available to those at risk of severe illness. For more information on Monkeypox treatment, contact Siksika’s CDC team at 403-734-5720 and leave a voicemail.
