Canada
BCIT Student in Burnaby Confirmed To Have Measles UPDATE
Fraser Health has issued a warning that measles is no longer confined to the source of the outbreak and has begun entering the general population in Chilliwack and Agassiz. (U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)
Fraser Health has confirmed a student from BCIT in Burnaby has been infected by a measles outbreak in Chilliwack.
The health authority is working with the school to alert students who may have come in contact with this person.
Students who attended classes in building NE1 of the BCIT campus on March 6 or 7 may return to school on March 17 if they have two documented doses of MMR vaccine, if they are born before 1970 or if they had measles in the past.
Original Story Below:
Fraser Valley East, British Columbia – Fraser Health has issued a public alert that an outbreak of the measles thought to be contained to religious groups and a nearby school has begun spreading. There are now confirmed infections in both Agassiz and Chilliwack. As a precaution, they’ve issued an alert to residents in the Fraser Valley East which includes the cities and towns called Abbotsford, Agassiz, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, and Mission.
As per Dr. Paul Van Buynde, Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer, dozens of people have displayed the measles symptoms, but only one child has been hospitalized. To safeguard the spread, Dr. Buynde cautions against anyone going to the hospital unless they become very ill. For those who display the symptoms, the best thing to do is remain at home and let the illness run its course. However, he also added that those who seek medical attention should alert the physician and clinic what their condition is so that preparations can be taken to prevent further spread. Symptoms to look out for are white spots in the mouth and throat followed by a red rash on the face 3 to 7 days later. The rash can spread throughout the body. It takes 7 to 14 days for the illness to run its course.
SURREY– Fraser Health is advising that measles cases now appear to be occurring in the general communities of Chilliwack and Agassiz; outside of the previous school and religious group areas.
Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Paul Van Buynder has confirmed one child has been admitted to hospital to date. He reminds all residents of Fraser East that the best protection against measles infection remains two doses of measles vaccine.
Arrangements are being made to distribute increased measles vaccine to general practitioners and pharmacies in the Fraser East region (Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and Hope). Fraser Health is requesting that older children and adults requiring immunization access the vaccine through one of these health care providers.
Children under the age of 5 years are most at risk of serious disease and need to obtain the vaccine from a general practitioner or a public health clinic.
Special vaccination clinics in Chilliwack and Agassiz are being organized for early next week and announcements regarding their availability will be made on the Fraser Health website.
People with symptoms of measles are asked to isolate themselves at home. Anyone that is seriously ill is asked to contact their general practitioner, public health unit, or emergency department prior to arriving in order to prevent the spread of the disease to other vulnerable patients.
For further information about measles, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website.
Source material:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/measles-spreading-in-fraser-valley-east-1.2571920