Meningococcal disease outbreak in the Okanagan

Interior Health has declared an outbreak of meningococcal disease (serotype W) in the Okanagan area among teens. VCH Public Health is recommending that teens at risk get immunized for free.

Who should be immunized

Youth 15-19 years of age who are:

1. Residents of the Okanagan living in the Lower Mainland temporarily
2. Travelling to the Okanagan for 3 weeks or more in the next few months

If you have any clients or patients who fall in this category please encourage them to get immunized for free.

How to get immunized

Call the nearest Public Health Unit to make an appointment.

What is Meningococcal disease?

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes infections in the blood. These infections can be serious and can even cause death or long-term health problems.

How is it spread?

Meningococcal infection is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, close face-to-face contact, and activities where saliva is shared. Transmission can occur via kissing or sharing of food, drinks, cigarettes, lipsticks, water bottles, mouth guards used for sports, or mouthpieces of musical instruments.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms among teens and young adults are:

• A stiff and painful neck, especially when you try to touch your chin to your chest
• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Trouble staying awake
• Seizures

Immunization schedule

The Meningococcal Quadrivalent vaccine provides protection against serotype W disease, and has been part of the routine immunization schedule for BC students in grade 9 since 2016. The vaccine provides protection for about 3 to 5 years. Anyone in the high risk group who had the immunization in grade 9 does not need to get the immunization again.

Anyone not eligible for the free immunization can privately purchase it through pharmacies with a prescription or through a travel clinic including the VCH Travel Clinic(604) 736-9244.

More info

For more info read the BC Centre for Disease Control’s news release issued December 15, 2017.