Health officials are blaming low immunization rates in parts of the Fraser Valley for a recent rash of measles cases, and urging area residents to treat the risk seriously.
Up to 60 women and newborns have been exposed to the virus since an infected person visited the post-natal unit of the Abbotsford Regional Hospital on Aug. 1, and a number of unconfirmed other cases have been reported over the past five weeks.
Dr. Paul Van Buynder, the Fraser Health Authority’s chief medical health officer, is encouraging residents of Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and Hope to get vaccinated if they aren’t already.
He said officials are especially concerned about newborns’ exposure to the virus because they’re too young to respond to the vaccine.
“Not vaccinating children can have consequences for other vulnerable infants. The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated,” Van Buynder said in a statement.
He also recommends that anyone who thinks they might have measles should call ahead before seeing a doctor, to avoid sitting in a waiting room and infecting those around them.
Patients with measles experience cold-like symptoms; red, sore eyes; and a rash two or three days later. People with measles should also stay home for four days after getting the rash to avoid spreading the virus, said Van Buynder.
There have been several clusters of cases in recent years due to relatively low immunization rates in some parts of the Fraser Valley. The most recent outbreak was shortly after the Olympics, in April 2010. The virus came in with overseas visitors, and most infected locals were in the Fraser Valley and had not been vaccinated.
Measles shots are free for everyone born after 1957.
