Health officials say that Northeast BC
Northeast BC Health officials are warning that the outbreak of measles is not over, and with the re -opening of schools, they can reap again and students return to the classroom.
There are cases in the northern health sector Almost double In the last one month, according to the BC Center for Disease Control.
Chief Medical Health Officer of Northern Health, Dr. Jong Kim says that most of the cases have been in the Northeast, where the vaccination rates remain below the level required to prevent transmission title.
“There are concerns,” he said. “This is a new school season, and we are at high levels of risk and risk of spread of measles than before.”
Outbreak, province The worst since 2014About 90 kilometers in the north -west of Fort St. John, a primary school in the community of Wonovon began before a summer break.
The virus quickly spread to the emergency chamber of St. John and pregnant mothers with the latter exposure in shops and businesses.
Since then, 187 have been confirmed in the northern BC and potential cases have been recorded, some exposure along with Prince George and Smithers, Kim said.
Most of the people have recovered at home, but some very young animal children need hospital care, said, some cases have been transferred to the lower mainland for more intensive treatment.
Vaccination rate rises, but still very low
Northern health saw an increase in vaccination in June and July as outbreaks spread.
But Kim says that the current coverage between children in two and seven -year -old still sits well as to prevent the virus from spreading.
“For the Northeast, we are sitting somewhere between 60 to 70 percent in those age groups on a large scale,” Kim said. “This is important available protection … although it is not enough for the herd’s immunity to completely stop the transmission.”
Kim said that public health officials have generally targeted at least 90 percent coverage to prevent the spread of highly infectious diseases such as measles, Kim said.
Northern health declines will continue to offer the community and school-based vaccination clinics, said, he said, with the goal of reaching students who either missed the dosage or have not been immunized at all.
Minister is out of proof of vaccination
BC Health Minister Josi Osborne visited hospitals in the Northeast last week, stating that he was “affected” by the preparation of care of the patient and a possible increase in measles cases.
He urged families to vaccinate their children and report the schools to report their status, but denied the need for evidence of vaccination for appearance.
“Measles is a very serious disease that can result in very serious complications, including death,” said Osborne. “This is the worst matter, and we do not want anyone to experience it.”
“We want children to be safe and able to attend school safely, and get the education they need and worth it.”
Osborne says that this province is also working to reach the families that can still hesitate about vaccines. Parents should talk to their health care providers with questions, they said.
Measles cases in BC are low, with only five confirmed cases-they are all travel-related. But elsewhere, numbers are exploding. Experts warned of further spread due to low vaccination rates. CBC medical columnist, Dr. Melissa Lem says that she is questioning the parents concerned. She says that school aged children are particularly weak, and the virus can leave permanent damage to the lungs and the immune system and even cause brain damage.
“(We) are also doing some very sensitive and targeted outreach, which are in parts of the communities, where perceptions and emotions may be different about vaccination, and can actually work hard to work with communities that assure them about the importance of safety and vaccination.”
Health officials say that the coming weeks will be important. If the rate of vaccination continues to increase, the outbreak may be wasteful. If not, more cases can be followed.
“This measles situation that we are seeing in Canada actually underlines the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, which provides the level of security for the person, for the family and the community,” Kim said. “This is making a big difference.”
While BC has recorded more than 100 cases of measles till 5 July, neighboring Alberta has recorded more cases than the entireness of America despite a part of the population. Dr. of a Richmond family, Dr. Susan Kuo said the current outbreak could be prevented with up-to-date vaccination, and the Kovid-19 epidemic had increased the vaccine doubtism and poor disease mitigation.
