By Corey Fischer

Meningococcal Outbreak in Okanagan

Dec 14, 2017 | 3:15 PM

Interior Health has declared a outbreak of meningococcal disease in the Okanagan and is recommending all young people between the ages of 15 to 19 get immunized.

The health agency will be offering immunization clinics throughout the Okanagan for individuals in grades 9-12 and persons aged 15-19 years old who do not attend school.

Clinics started at Kalamalka Secondary in Coldstream today and will be rolled out at other Okanagan schools over the next week, and at public health offices.

I-H says there’s been 11 cases of meningitis the last six months in the region, with most of those in the Okanagan.

The normal amount is five cases.

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The most recent one was in Coldstream with a 16 year old Kalamalka Secondary student in hospital with a severe case.

I-H is not providing an update on the girl’s condition for privacy reasons.

Medical health officer Dr. Karin Goodison says other age groups are at risk for the disease, but the 15 to 19 year olds are most at risk.

“The mechanism for spread for this is basically bacteria in the nose and mouth of individuals who are infected or carriers of this, and it can be transmitted through things like sharing glasses, sharing cigarettes or kissing. All of those things can increase the risk.”

Goodison says the risk to the general population is low.

“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.”

Check interiorhealth.ca for more details.

by Corey Fischer