Local Youth At Risk for Deadly Disease

A greater risk for youth in the area.
Meningitis vaccination rates are declining, and it has health staff concerned it could lead to a possible outbreak. In some Northwestern Health communities, as few as 1/3 of the students have received their vaccine.
Meningitis, although uncommon, is a brain or blood infection that affects about 300 people a year in Canada. An estimated 1 in 10 people will die from it and another person may become disabled. The bacteria that are found in the throat can cause a serious infection if it can’t get to the blood or brain fluid. It is transmitted through saliva, so activities with someone who is infected such as sharing lip balm, musical instrument mouth pieces or kissing can cause it.
Manager of Infectious Diseases at the Northwestern Health Unit Donna Stanley says,
“There seems to be more cases in the teen years, so we want to get kids immunized before they get to the risk age.”
Most students receive the vaccine in grade 7.
Families whose children didn’t receive it should contact their local health unit office to arrange for an appointment.