Deadly disease turns up again

[Silverstarqueen]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/21 ... ly-disease

This is the second high school in the okanagan, What are they waiting for? Kids are mingling, attending sporting events, christmas parties. This disease is very contagious and can kill in short order. Why not vaccinate all the young people for starters?

[Fancy]

“This vaccine has been offered to grade nine students at this school for the last two years.”

The clinic has now been expanded to all students at the school who feel they need protection.

IH says that while the risk to the general population is low, Interior Health is taking the precaution to immunize all students at the school, to reduce the spread of infection.

from the article.

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccd ... -4-eng.pdf

Meningococcal infection is caused by bacteria. Meningococcal infection due to types A, C, Y and W-135 is very rare in B.C. Since 2009 there have been less than 10 cases per year. Although rare, it can cause serious and life-threatening infections including meningitis, an infection of the lining that covers the brain, and septicemia, an infection of the blood. For every 100 people who get sick, up to 15 will die, even if they receive treatment. Permanent complications of infection include brain damage, deafness, and loss of limbs.

Meningococcal infection is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or close face-to-face contact. It can also be spread through saliva. This can occur through activities such as kissing or sharing of food, drinks, cigarettes, lipsticks, water bottles, mouth guards used for sports, or mouthpieces of musical instruments.

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkb ... t-vaccines

[youjustcomplain]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/213850/Shots-for-deadly-disease

This is the second high school in the okanagan, What are they waiting for? Kids are mingling, attending sporting events, christmas parties. This disease is very contagious and can kill in short order. Why not vaccinate all the young people for starters?

Because there is a very unhealthy amount of people out there who are afraid that their kids will get autism if they vaccinate. That, or they just don't "believe" it works. Ignorance runs abundant.

[Silverstarqueen]

As of Nov. (does not include cases in Vernon)
"In 2016, nine cases of meningococcal disease were reported in BC, with no fatal outcomes. Five cases were due to serotype Y, two were due to serotype W, and two were due to serotype B. Three of the cases were younger than 20 years old, with one each due to serogroup B, W and Y.
In 2017, as of November 17th, 23 laboratory confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have been reported to the BCCDC for an annual incidence rate of 0.48 cases per 100,000 population. Fourteen cases were serogroup W, five serogroup Y, three serogroup B and one serogroup C. The 14 serogroup W cases ranged in age from 0 to 97 years, with a median age of 32 years. Seven of these cases were over 40 years of age, and six were aged 15-24 years. The 14 serogroup W cases have occurred in four health authorities: eight in Interior Health, four in Fraser Health and one each in Vancouver Coastal Health and Island Health."
Eight cases in the okanagan, plus whatever will result in vernon is a much higher rate per 100,000 than the rest of the province. Vaccinating Grade nines is great, but that is probably 1/10 of the young people most at risk (teens to early twenties).Has the outbreak in Oliver even been declared contained yet?

[Fancy]

There have been no new cases in Oliver and the risk of getting the disease is low.

[Silverstarqueen]

What I meant was, if this case in Vernon is related to the Oliver cases, then it has not been contained. If it isn't, we may have a new outbreak. Eight cases in Interior health may be considered "rare", but we have a child in ICU in a coma. How did they get infected?

[Grandan]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/213850/Shots-for-deadly-disease

This is the second high school in the okanagan, What are they waiting for? Kids are mingling, attending sporting events, christmas parties. This disease is very contagious and can kill in short order. Why not vaccinate all the young people for starters?

The advice to wash your hands frequently and not share joints or drinks would solve most issues.

[Fancy]

What I meant was, if this case in Vernon is related to the Oliver cases, then it has not been contained. If it isn't, we may have a new outbreak. Eight cases in Interior health may be considered "rare", but we have a child in ICU in a coma. How did they get infected?

What do you mean "if"? And anyone that has come into contact with them are receiving or have received antibiotics. If it is rare it's not that easily transmitted and if it was highly contagious there would be a real outbreak. It is not transmitted through casual contact.

[Silverstarqueen]

https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/213850/Shots-for-deadly-disease

This is the second high school in the okanagan, What are they waiting for? Kids are mingling, attending sporting events, christmas parties. This disease is very contagious and can kill in short order. Why not vaccinate all the young people for starters?

The advice to wash your hands frequently and not share joints or drinks would solve most issues.

Washing hands and not sharing are wonderful advice, as would be not hugging, kissing, touching common surfaces, standing nearby while someone coughs or sneezes. All great techniques for reducing exposure to colds and minor illnesses. For deadly, similarly contagious infections, we have vaccines, masks, and antibiotics, isolation, and ICU's. The likelihood that someone will be exposed to an infection is high given that most people are going to carry on as normal. If it was difficult to catch, or inadvertent exposure unlikely we wouldn't need vaccines.

[Fancy]

Health authorities have made it very clear it is not transmitted through casual contact - unlike the flu or cold.

[Grandan]

Health authorities have made it very clear it is not transmitted through casual contact - unlike the flu or cold.

Meningococcal infection is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or close face-to-face contact. It can also be spread through saliva. This can occur through activities such as kissing or sharing of food, drinks, cigarettes, lipsticks, water bottles, mouth guards used for sports, or mouthpieces of musical instruments.

I have been around people who cough or sneeze on their hands and then handle your groceries, paperwork and so on.
Not cool, use your above the elbow sleeve or a disposable handkerchief.

[gman313]

are rainbow parties still allowed?

[Fancy]

I have been around people who cough or sneeze on their hands and then handle your groceries, paperwork and so on.
Not cool, use your above the elbow sleeve or a disposable handkerchief.

The germs can be on surfaces and not be transmitted. Flu and cold etc. yes. One needs to be in close proximity so rainbow parties would put those at risk that haven't had the vaccine.

[Silverstarqueen]

So more up to date number for interior health is 11 cases, twice the usual number. Outbreak has not been declared "over" yet.

[Fancy]

“The risk to the general population is low,” said Dr. Karin Goodison, medical health officer, during a conference call Thursday. “However, with the increase in the number of cases and the fact that this disease can be prevented through immunization, we felt it important to raise the public’s awareness about this disease, and roll out a campaign to immunize those at the highest risk.

https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/ ... -okanagan/

I have no idea why this was posted in the social forum instead of health.