28°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Olympics bound? Check your measles vaccination status before you go
VANCOUVER - People planning to travel to the London Olympics are being reminded to make sure their measles vaccination is up to date.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control in Vancouver is advising travellers destined for the Olympics and other parts of the world, including Europe, that measles has been on the rise in many parts of the world.
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
Last year alone, multiple importations of measles from Europe resulted in an outbreak of almost 800 cases in Quebec.
And in 2010, B.C. had an outbreak of about 80 cases following three separate importations, two of which were linked to the Winter Olympics.
Measles is highly contagious, and spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or shares drinks or food with a person who is susceptible to the virus.
While most people survive, measles can be fatal in small children; about one or two out of every 1,000 children infected die from measles.
Infection is marked by a rash that covers the whole body and can trigger ear infections and pneumonia as well.
After being fought down to low levels in developed countries through the use of childhood vaccines, the disease has rebounded in recent years due to growing anti-vaccination sentiments.
The BCCDC says anyone born after 1956 should have two doses of measles-containing vaccine. And it says children travelling to parts of the world where the disease is common should receive these doses prior to travel.
More Your Health
- Back to Top
- Return to Your Health
More Your Health
(1 of 23 articles for today)
Study: Vaccine against sexually transmitted HPV cut infections in teen girls by half
5:19 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Your Health
- Alberta Health Services reverses cuts to home, palliative and continuing care
- Canadian high school seniors in worse health than first-years. study shows
- New Brunswick health minister says catastrophic drug plan on the way
- HEALTHBEAT: July 1 brings changes to way diabetics on Medicare purchase blood testing supplies
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Saved by the kettlebell
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Ontario workers who fear chemical made them sick told to file claim
- Doctors say public purse and public health at risk because of government cuts
- One case of rare brain disease confirmed in B.C.; two other cases now suspected
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Groin soreness sign of testicular cancer
- Training Basket
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Music can move you emotionally and physically
- Carb-loading and sports drinks: debunking marathon myths
- Two dead, one injured after helicopter crashes north of Fort McMurray, Alberta
- You can't break bad eating patterns, but you can modify them to your advantage
- Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the controversial abortion rights crusader, dead at 90
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- I'm going to die(t)
- Smoke sales forbidden at pharmacies, health facilities starting May 31
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Mother of biologist killed in chopper crash worried about daughter's risky job
- Ottawa tables final rules for medical marijuana, gives pharmacists a reprieve
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- Groin soreness sign of testicular cancer
- Canadian high school seniors in worse health than first-years. study shows
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- Groin soreness sign of testicular cancer
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Iron overload often missed diagnosis for heart problems
- Doctors say public purse and public health at risk because of government cuts
- Training Basket
- Canadian high school seniors in worse health than first-years. study shows
- Specialist moving to Toronto after 23 years at cutting-edge sleep lab
- Carb-loading and sports drinks: debunking marathon myths
- Iron overload often missed diagnosis for heart problems
- You can't break bad eating patterns, but you can modify them to your advantage
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- I'm going to die(t)
- CT-scans: weigh negative and positive effects
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.