Nicole Ireland
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nicireland.bsky.social
Nicole Ireland
@nicireland.bsky.social
130 followers 130 following 40 posts
Health reporter for The Canadian Press. Former producer/reporter/newsreader for CBC News in Toronto, Thunder Bay and Iqaluit. Interested in your physical, emotional and social health stories!
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You might be seeing headlines that the dominant flu strain right now — H3N2 — has mutated in the months since this year’s vaccine was developed. That’s true, but here’s why docs still recommend the shot…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/child...
Children's hospitals seeing more flu cases as earlier season takes a toll
TORONTO - Hospitals are seeing more children sick with flu after the virus began circulating earlier than usual this year.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:51 PM
nicireland.bsky.social
Black Friday shopping for young children? Pediatricians, psychologists say parents should think twice about AI toys. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/science/conc...
Concerns raised about AI-powered toys and creativity, development as holiday shopping peaks
TORONTO - As parents hunt for gifts that will wow their kids this holiday season, Canadian child development and psychology experts say they should be wary of AI-powered toys because
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
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Canada eliminated measles back in 1998, but that status was revoked yesterday. Today we ask ‘where do we go from here?’ We talked to some very smart people about what needs to happen to stop the spread of one of the most contagious viruses in the world.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/how...
How Canada can regain its measles elimination status
TORONTO - Infectious disease experts say Canada's loss of measles elimination status shows how badly investment is needed in public health, rebuilding vaccine confidence and solving the primary care c...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 11, 2025 at 10:33 PM
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An ongoing measles outbreak that started in N.B. and spread to other provinces (including Alberta and Ontario, where 2 newborns died) reached the one-year mark yesterday. That means Canada can lose the measles elimination status we’ve had since 1998. More…
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/canad...
Canada's status as a country without endemic measles can now be revoked
TORONTO - Canada is poised to lose its international status as a measles-free country now that an outbreak that began in New Brunswick and spread to other provinces has hit
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
nicireland.bsky.social
Talked to eight-year-old Logan Dorna, his parents and a talented ocularist (a professional who makes prosthetic eyes) about his new Blue Jays artificial eye + how losing his left eye to cancer as a baby hasn’t stopped him from playing baseball himself…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/eight...
Eight-year-old shows his love for the Blue Jays with custom prosthetic eye
TORONTO - Eight-year-old Logan Dorna is cheering on the Blue Jays in their playoff run while sporting their logo on his prosthetic eye.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
nicireland.bsky.social
Remember Trump and RFK Jr’s claim that taking Tylenol during pregnancy could cause autism? Nor only is it false, it’s a throwback to an era of mom-blaming, like the debunked “refrigerator mother” theory. Story here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/trump...
Trump's Tylenol misinformation revives history of 'mom blaming' in autism, docs say
TORONTO - When U.S. President Donald Trump urged pregnant women to avoid Tylenol because of an unproven belief it can cause autism, Julie Green was brought back to the mom-blaming
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
nicireland.bsky.social
Talked to amazing women whose intense pain was dismissed for years as “normal” periods. Sadly their story is all too common but a new education project for doctors aims to change that: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/train...
Training for docs coming as women wait years in pain for endometriosis diagnoses
TORONTO - Katie Luciani spent years being told that her weeklong debilitating pain every month was a "normal" part of getting her period.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
September 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
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Got to speak with four inspiring students starting at Canada’s newest med school about barriers they faced and why they want to be docs… www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/they-...
They had to navigate the health-care system growing up. Now they're students at Canada's newest med school
TORONTO - Toronto Metropolitan University opened Canada's newest medical school this week, with 94 students who administrators believe reflect the diversity needed among this country's future doctors.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
September 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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Remember those crazy hot days a couple of weeks back? Climate change-driven extreme heat is affecting worker safety in Canada and around the world. Today, the WHO called it a “public health crisis.” Read more here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/environment/...
Rising heat a 'public health crisis' for workers, including in Canada: WHO
TORONTO - The World Health Organization says climate change-driven heat is a "public health crisis" for workers around the globe and experts say Canada is no exception.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
August 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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Public Health Agency of Canada confirms adult in Toronto is the first human case of West Nile virus this year in the country (not involving travel). Story here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/first...
First human case of West Nile virus acquired in Canada this year confirmed
TORONTO - The Public Health Agency of Canada says this year's first human case of West Nile virus acquired within the country has been confirmed in Toronto.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
July 31, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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BREAKING: The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed to me that 1st human case of West Nile virus acquired within the country this year has been confirmed in Toronto. Story coming….
July 31, 2025 at 9:26 PM
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Feel like you’re seeing e-scooters everywhere? Hospitals are seeing increasing e-scooter injuries, including among kids — many not wearing helmets. Story here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/e-sco...
E-scooter injuries are on the rise among both kids and adults, data and doctors say
TORONTO - The Canadian Institute for Health Information says e-scooter injuries are on the rise across the country.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
July 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
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The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario say this move addresses the reality of being a doctor in small communities. Ontario Opposition MPPs say it’s a reflection on the govt’s handling of the primary-care crisis. Story here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/ontario/some...
Some Ontario doctors can treat family members as regulatory college relaxes rules amid shortage
TORONTO - The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is relaxing its policy against doctors treating themselves, family members and others close to them amid the province's primary care
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
July 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
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Did you know the tick that transmits Lyme disease can be as small as a poppyseed? Do you know how to remove a tick? www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/environment/...
Climate change is driving a rise in tick-borne diseases. Here's what to know.
TORONTO - A warming climate is driving a rise in Lyme disease and the introduction of lesser-known tick-borne diseases, public health specialists say.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
July 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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"This isn't a workforce that's lacking passion, but it is a workforce that is being pushed beyond its limits”: New report sheds light on heavy workloads, high stress, low wages for PSWs, noting that they’re needed more than ever as the population ages.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/heavy...
Heavy workloads, high stress, low wages driving PSWs out of profession, report says
TORONTO - Five years ago, Nilmini Senewiratne was only getting part-time hours, no benefits and had to rush from client to client in her job as a personal support worker.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
June 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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Here’s why Canadian scientists say RFK Jr.’s replacement of U.S. immunization committee members is dangerous for us in Canada…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/rfk...
RFK Jr.'s firing of U.S. immunization committee worrisome, Canadian scientists say
TORONTO - Canadian doctors and scientists say Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s firing of an immunization advisory committee south of the border could bolster anti-vaccine sentiment in Canada.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
June 12, 2025 at 1:15 AM
nicireland.bsky.social
Absolutely tragic.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/inf...
Infant born prematurely dies in southwestern Ontario after measles infection
TORONTO - Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says an infant born prematurely and infected with measles has died in southwestern Ontario.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
June 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
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"If we had a cancer drug with this amount of benefit…it would be celebrated in all the major guidelines across oncology societies worldwide.” Clinical trial shows exercise after colon cancer treatment associated w/ fewer recurrences + deaths Story here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/exerc...
Exercise improves colon cancer survival, Canadian researchers say
TORONTO - Canadian researchers say a new study shows regular exercise improves survival for colon cancer patients.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
June 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
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Canadian obstetricians and gynecologists are emphasizing that pregnant women are at higher risk of hospitalization and complications from COVID-19 infection and remain a priority group for COVID vaccination after RFK Jr.’s unsubstantiated claims in U.S.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/covid...
COVID vaccine 'strongly recommended' during pregnancy, Canadian doctors say
TORONTO - Canada's gynecologists say COVID-19 vaccination "remains safe and strongly recommended" during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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A team of Canadian researchers used AI to find six genes they say can predict if a patient with an infection will go on to develop sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the immune system starts attacking the body’s own organs and tissues. Story here:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/canad...
Canadian researchers develop test they say can help diagnose life-threatening sepsis
TORONTO - A team of Canadian researchers has created a test they say could quickly predict if a patient is going to develop sepsis, a life-threatening condition that happens when
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 27, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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I somehow missed posting this story a few weeks ago, but now that we have a dedicated federal AI minister, this seems as good a time as any…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/science/prot...
Protect 'valuable' Canadian health data from Trump's AI aspirations, experts urge
TORONTO - Medical researchers and lawyers say our rocky relationship with the U.S. creates an urgent need to protect a critical Canadian resource: patient health information that can be used
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
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We don’t normally cover early stage safety trials, but #ALS is so devastating and needs more attention and hope through some fascinating science… www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/science/cana...
Canadian researchers reach 'major milestone' in search for ALS treatment
TORONTO - Standing in an MRI control room packed with fellow ALS researchers, Dr. Lorne Zinman excitedly points to the brain scan on his phone.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
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www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/can...
Canadian Blood Services says it needs 1 million new blood donors over next 5 years
TORONTO - Marc Parravano has donated blood 146 times.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 9, 2025 at 12:57 AM
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Wildfire season has already begun in B.C. and a new CMAJ study published today suggests paying attention to air quality readings, using air cleaners and having medication on hand helps reduce ER visits for people with asthma. Story here…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/wildf...
Wildfire smoke linked to more ER visits for asthma, researchers urge preparedness
TORONTO - New research that analyzes emergency department visits during Ontario's unprecedented 2023 wildfire season suggests public-health messaging such as air quality advisories and ensuring people...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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Remember when we thought health care would be top-of-mind in the federal election before Trump tensions eclipsed other issues? Health promises did make it into the party platforms —here’s some of what the Liberals promised…

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/her...
Here's what the Liberals promised for health care. But can they deliver?
TORONTO - Until U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to Canadian sovereignty came along, many thought health care would be a key issue in the federal election.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
May 1, 2025 at 8:54 PM