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The measles outbreak in Vancouver and Washington has sparked a number of concerns for Interior Health (IH), but it ensures residents of Kamloops that the risk of infection at the local level is low.
"We have no confirmed cases of measles in the interior of the country," said Dr. Silvina Mema, medical officer of health at the IH.
"As far as we know, this epidemic has been brought under control and the people who have been exposed have been informed and are dealing with the problem."
However, the announcement of a measles outbreak has resulted in an increasing number of calls from people checking their immunization schedule or asking for an appointment to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). Mema notes that if parents can not get an appointment right away, they should not panic. As there is currently no case on the spot, the only major risk is for those traveling.
"People who have not traveled will not worry too much about measles because we do not have it inside, to our knowledge," Mema said. "Someone who has traveled and who has the symptoms of measles: cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, fever, then a rash that starts and goes down, are the typical symptoms of measles.Unfortunately, these symptoms do not occur. are not unique to measles. "
Dr. Silvina Mema, medical officer of health at Interior Health, said that no case of measles had been reported inside yet. (via Interior Health)According to Mr Mema, measles is still endemic in the countries of Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe.
If you think you have contracted measles, be sure to alert your doctor before your appointment so that he can consult you quickly. Because measles is suspended in the air, if you go to an emergency room, wear a mask so you do not potentially infect other people in the waiting room.
One case of measles has not been reported in the interior since 2011, when there were seven cases. In 2010, there were 14 cases of measles.
According to IH, 86% of two-year-olds in the Thompson-Shuswap area received their MMR vaccine. It is estimated that a single dose of vaccine administered between 12 and 15 months is effective against the disease between 85 and 95%, while a second dose, administered between 4 and 6 years, is effective at around 100 %.
However, given the amount of erroneous information on vaccinations, Mema states that it is natural to question the functioning of the MMR, but some people will never change their minds.
"The anti-vaccine is really a spectrum, it's not black or white," she says. "There are people who have questions about vaccines and as parents it is normal to ask questions, nurses can answer many of these questions in their conversations with clients. to the messages we have to say because they are very determined, and for those we do not really engage with these extreme people, because that does not get us anywhere proactively. "
If you have questions or would like to make an appointment, contact your local IH health center.
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