A pocket of children not vaccinated in the northeast of British Columbia allowed measles cases in the region to spread “such as forest fire,” says BC Provincial Health officer, Dr. Martin Lavoie.
He made the comments during a provincial update on the disease that has seen multiple exhibitions reported in Fort St. John, even in a primary school, emergency room and prenatal clinic.
“If the virus finds people who are not immunized, it will begin to become infected,” said Lavoie during the July 10 presentation given to the media.
During the last weeks, he added, “the virus has found communities or population pockets that are large enough in numbers to allow the virus suddenly, to say, exploit or begin as a forest fire … and then it takes a while before it goes out and follow its course.”
The risks of allowing him to spread, he said, included serious diseases or even death.
10 hospitalized, most infected children
According to provincial numbers, there is currently only a case of measles still active in the province. But as of July 8, 10 people were hospitalized due to the virus, with a total of 102 confirmed cases throughout the province this year.
That is the highest number in more than a decade, although still significantly less than an outbreak of 2014 focused on the BC Fraser Valley that resulted in 344 confirmed cases.
In that case, the epicenter of the disease was in a school where some 360 students from the garden of infants until grade 12 were infected, according to the BC disease control center.
Lavoie said the outbreak in the Northeast of BC had followed a similar pattern, with the first case that is believed to be related to trips.
From there, an exhibition was reported in a primary school in the Wonowon community, about 90 kilometers northwest of Fort St. John. Then subsequent exhibitions in stores and businesses were reported, as well as in the emergency room of Fort St. John and the prenatal clinic for pregnant mothers.
Most of those infected were under 18, according to provincial data, which represents 70 percent of known infections. The real number is probably higher, Lavoie said, since it is known that many cases are not reported.
Six of the 10 cases of hospitalization confirmed in BC are found in Northern Health, and one in each of the other four health regions.
Lavoie said that because the population of the Northeast of BC is smaller than the Fraser Valley, he did not expect total infections to rise as high as they had done in 2014, although he warned that there was still a risk that trips related to trips would take him to other places.
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He also noted that the virus could spread so successful because approximately 20 years have passed since measles was in the region in any significant number, so there was a complete generation of people not vaccinated to be infected.
The director of Medical Health of Northern Health, Dr. Jong Kim, said that most of the infections had occurred in “unremmed and vulnerable” known “communities, but hoped that the infection peak would have already been seen, with cases now in decline.
He also said that dissemination efforts were underway for communities in the region that are considered more at risk of future outbreaks. According to the local school district, the school where the initial measles outbreak took place is 90 percent Russian or German -speaking, in an area with religious communities that cannot undergo regular vaccine schedules.
Lavoie said that BC’s immunization rate of approximately 84 percent was quite good, but not perfect, while BC Health Minister Josie Osborne said that immunizing is the best that BC residents can do to protect themselves and others.
Alberta experiences the highest capita measles rate in North America
BC launched its latest case figures one day after Alberta reported 1,230 infections since March.
While Ontario has reported the greatest absolute number of cases with 2,244 infections confirmed since October, Alberta Leadra not only in Canada, but also in North America per capita.
Lavoie said his office is not worried that BC can face a similar situation.
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Measles cases are increasing in Ontario, putting at risk pregnant people and their babies. Experts are asking for a better prenatal detection for measles antibodies and urging vaccination before pregnancy.
“So we are very close to Alberta, of course, so that they can be a source [of measles] For us while people travel from side to side, “he said.
“We believe that our coverage rates are not really in a bad place. I said they were good, not perfect, so I would doubt that we see something so big.”
Lavoie also recognized the case count in Ontario and urged British Colombians to protect themselves.
Ontario reported last Thursday that an eighth baby was born with congenital measles since the outbreak began.
Babies can contract congenital measles in the uterus through their mothers who are not vaccinated, resulting in serious complications, including inflammation of the brain and death.
The latest data in Ontario show that 48 pregnant people have been infected with measles, and the medical director of Ontario, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced at the beginning of June that a baby was born prematurely and infected with measles in southwest Ontario had died.
Dr. Jennifer Vines, a public health doctor at the BC disease control center, said during the update on Thursday that BC has not yet seen such a case.
“But we are preparing to involve experts in pregnancy to prepare for everything we need to know about how to handle measles in pregnancy … so that we can be prepared for this unfortunate possibility,” said Vines.
Vines said that the congenital cases of Ontario reinforce the importance of all being vaccinated “, but in particular, anyone who is pregnant, who knows that they are susceptible to measles, obtaining a quick follow -up if they believe they have had an exposure to measles or seeks advice immediately from their pregnancy provider.”
Lavoie said pregnant people and babies, including children under 12 months, run the risk of becoming measles. Pregnant women and young children under five also fall among groups with a higher risk of complications and death.
The authorities say that those who have received two doses of the measles vaccine should be completely protected, and that extends to babies born of vaccinated mothers, although babies must also follow the recommended vaccine schedules.
