Five active institutional outbreaks reported in Lambton County

Long-term care and retirement homes in Sarnia, Petrolia, and Watford are managing ongoing enteric and respiratory outbreaks, according to Lambton Public Health data.

Lambton Public Health (LPH) is currently monitoring five active institutional outbreaks across Lambton County, according to the LPH institutional outbreak reporting dashboard. 

The outbreak information shows that all active outbreaks are occurring within long-term care and retirement home settings, involving both enteric and respiratory illnesses.

An enteric outbreak has been declared at Brookside Retirement Home in Watford, affecting the entire facility. The outbreak was declared on Jan. 21, 2026, and the specific pathogen remains under investigation.

Afton Park Place, a long-term care home in Sarnia, is also experiencing an enteric outbreak impacting the entire facility. The outbreak was declared on Jan. 17, 2026, with the pathogen currently listed as under investigation.

In Petrolia, Bear Creek Terrace is managing a respiratory outbreak affecting the Barclay unit. The outbreak was declared on Jan. 15, 2026, and involves confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia has an active enteric outbreak affecting the entire facility. The outbreak was declared on Jan. 12, 2026, with norovirus identified as the confirmed pathogen.

A fifth outbreak remains active at Trillium Villa in Sarnia. This respiratory outbreak, declared on Jan. 3, 2026, involves confirmed cases of both Influenza A and COVID-19 and affects the entire facility.

Outbreak classifications and reporting follow Ontario Public Health Standards and guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health. LPH notes that outbreak data reflects a specific point in time and may change as investigations continue or outbreaks are declared over.

This information is up-to-date as of January 23, 2026. The public health unit continues to monitor the situations closely and updates the outbreak status regularly as new information becomes available.