September 18^th, 2006

What are your children doing after school? Help them stay active!

As children head back to school this month, they often trade hours of active play for hours of sitting at a desk. By helping your children stay active, you contribute to their healthy growth and development. Half of BC

August 17, 2006.

West Nile virus has not yet been found in British Columbia, but higher levels of activity in neighboring jurisdictions compared to previous years has Public Health officials concerned we may see the virus arrive in our province later this summer.

West Nile virus is a disease among birds that is spread between them and to humans by mosquitoes.

May 2, 2006

Third case of measles reported in Vernon

Public Health officials confirmed today that a third case of measles has been reported in the Vernon area. This follows the two cases already reported during the month of April. The new case is a 7 month old infant and there does not appear to be a link between the infant and already reported cases.

Measles has been quite rare in British Columbia because of high immunization rates with the provincial 2-dose vaccine. Over the last 5 years, the few cases in the province were generally as a result of susceptible people having traveled to or come from other countries where immunization rates had fallen and ongoing measles transmission was being seen. No travel occurred in any of the Vernon cases meaning that more cases may emerge among non or under-immunized susceptible persons who were exposed to one of the three confirmed people or to other as yet unidentified cases.

As part of the BC routine childhood immunization schedule, 2 doses of measles vaccine are given as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age. Immunization records indicate that only 79% of preschoolers at 2 years of age in Interior Health are up-to-date in receiving the full two doses of measles vaccine (MMR). Those non-immunized or under-immunized children are susceptible to catching measles if exposed. Special immunization clinics are being offered at the Vernon Health Unit for children who have not received the appropriate number of doses of MMR vaccine.

Symptoms to watch for include fever, cough and red eyes for 2-4 days, followed by a rash that starts on the head and neck and spreads down the body. If someone suspects that they or a family member may have measles, they should call ahead to their Doctor's office, walk-in clinic or Emergency room before going in to be seen. Measles is highly infectious through airborne spread, and patients with suspected illness should avoid sitting in medical waiting rooms where they could spread it to others.

Parents whose children have not received the appropriate number of MMR vaccine doses can contact their local public health office to book an appointment for a free vaccination.

For more information, visit www.interiorhealth.ca

For media information contact:
Cathy Renkas
(250) 862-8394