Boy who died from asthma amid wildfire smoke is 'face of climate crisis,' doctor says
A nine-year-old B.C. boy who died from asthma exacerbated by wildfire smoke is “the face of the climate crisis in Canada right now,” the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) said on Tuesday.
The group's president, Dr. Melissa Lem, said Carter Vigh's death underscores the urgent need to better protect vulnerable people from the effects of wildfires and other climate change-driven emergencies - as well as pick up the pace of tackling climate change itself.
“What Carter's story tells me is that we are woefully unprepared for the health impacts of climate change as a society and in the health-care system,” Lem told The Canadian Press.
“It's a moral imperative for governments to end our dependence on fossil fuels before more kids like Carter die,” she said.
Burning fossil fuels leads to climate change, which in turn can trigger wildfires, as well as create other air pollution, Lem said.
Carter's aunt, Anamaria Vigh, said on Facebook that the boy from 100 Mile House, B.C., died from asthma last week in hospital.
On Monday, the B.C. Coroner's office posted a public safety bulletin confirming it is investigating Carter's death.
“The sudden and unexpected death of this young boy is a heartbreaking loss for his family and community,” the bulletin said.
“As the province experiences greater impacts from the effects of climate change, British Columbians are learning more about the risks associated with wildfire smoke, extreme heat and other environmental factors. This greater awareness can help us respond when risks are identified,” it said.
Whenever wildfire smoke starts appearing, Lem - who is also a family doctor in Vancouver - sees a rise in patients suffering from asthma and sore throats.
More severe asthma attacks, as well as other respiratory diseases and heart problems, end up in the emergency department, she said.
The B.C. Coroner's bulletin also said that smoke from wildfires is especially dangerous for children, older people and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.
There are some precautions that people can take to minimize their exposure to wildfire smoke, the bulletin said, including staying inside with windows closed and using “high-quality portable air cleaners with HEPA filtration to remove smoke particles from indoor air.”
The coroner's office also recommended keeping windows closed and air conditioning on in cars, as well as taking refuge in “places with controlled air supply,” including shopping malls or public libraries.
Lem said Carter's death is “every parent's and every doctor's worst nightmare.”
“We have to sprint as fast as we can to both adapt to the effects of climate change (by) protecting people from the effects of wildfire, smoke and heat,” she said.
“At the same time, (we have to) sprint to mitigate climate change by reducing our use of and expansion of fossil fuels as quickly as we can.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2023.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
Racist text messages referencing slavery raise alarms in multiple states and prompt investigations
Racist text messages invoking slavery raised alarm across the country this week after they were sent to Black men, women and students, including middle schoolers, prompting inquiries by the FBI and other agencies.
Mysterious black balls that washed up on Sydney beach were foul-smelling mini 'fatbergs'
The black balls – initially thought to be made of tar – were actually mini "fatbergs," made up of human feces, methamphetamine, human hair, fatty acids, and food waste, among hundreds of other vile and befuddling substances.
LSU criticized after bringing caged live tiger into stadium before defeat to Alabama
No. 15 LSU has been criticized for unveiling a live caged tiger in its stadium for the first time in almost a decade before they were routed 42-13 by No. 11 Alabama in their SEC showdown.
Paris to deploy 4,000 police officers for France-Israel soccer match following violence in Amsterdam
Paris police said Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a France-Israel soccer match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation a week after violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam.
Cornwall, Ont. prepares for potential influx of asylum seekers following U.S. election
As the possibility of mass deportations looms following Donald Trump's re-election on Tuesday, border towns like the City of Cornwall are preparing for a potential influx of asylum seekers.
Nova Scotia NDP candidate out after criticism for 'troubling' posts about Israel
Nova Scotia's New Democratic Party says a candidate criticized by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs for "troubling" and "damaging" social media posts is no longer running for the party in the Nov. 26 general election.
Remembrance Day: What's open and closed in Canada?
While banks and post offices will be closed nationwide on Remembrance Day, shops and businesses could be open depending on where you live in Canada.
Americans are feeling anxious — so they're 'doom spending'
Doom spending, or the practice of spending money to soothe fears about broader issues like politics or the economy, shows up everywhere from YouTube and TikTok videos to Reddit to personal finance discussions and data in surveys.