TUESDAY MARCH 18, 2014
BIG CONCERT
ZUCCHERO PLAYS
World-renowned Italian rocker hits Cranbrook. See LOCAL NEWS page 4
EARLY CHILDHOOD
AGES & STAGES PROJECT
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THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 82, Issue 52 | www.dailybulletin.ca
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INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
Teck reports death at Coal Mountain SALLY MACDONALD Townsman Staff
A 59-year-old Teck employee died in what Teck is calling a serious incident at Coal Mountain early on Sunday, March 16. The resource company reported the fatality occurred at about 2 a.m. on Sunday. No other employees were injured. “We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues,” said Nic Milligan, manager of community and aboriginal affairs.
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Visitors asked to avoid The Pines Special Care Home on active outbreak list due to respiratory infections C AROLYN GR ANT editor@dailybulletin.ca
The Kimberley Special Care Home (the Pines) is one of five facilities in the province currently listed on the Active Outbreak Facilities List. Interior Health spokesman Karl Hardt said that a small number of Kimberley Special Care Home residents have shown signs of a respiratory infection. Three of 55 residents were identified as of March 13. The Pines was put on the list on March 14. Hardt says that outbreaks of this type are quite common at this time of year and the facility is placed on the list only as a precaution. “Following the provincial guidelines, to minimize possible spread, we have implemented outbreak precautions,” Hardt said. “This includes, keeping residents with symptoms away from other residents; doing additional cleaning and asking visitors to avoid visiting during the outbreak — signs are posted at the facility to let people know. Family and friends can call the home for an update.”
PAT BATES PHOTO
Last week the first ever bouldering competition was held at Kimberely’s new Spirit Rock Climbing Gym. 30 competitors of all ages from Kimberley, Cranbrook, and Fernie competed on pre-set routes of varying difficulty. Bouldering is form of gymnastic-like climbing done without ropes and harness, the only protection from falling is the thick, soft foam mats on the floor. The winner of the competition was Noah Beeks from Cranbrook.
IH recommends measles vaccinations Outbreak in Lower Mainland could spread as families travel for spring break C AROLYN GR ANT editor@dailybulletin.ca
An outbreak of measles is occurring in the Fraser Valley Health Unit, confined mostly to the Chilliwack Aggasiz areas, although there has also been a case confirmed in Burnaby. Both Chilliwack and Agassiz have low rates of measles immunization. Medical Health Officer for Interior Health, Dr. Sue Pollock, says that there are currently no cases reported in the Interior Health region, but that may
change. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see it spread,” Dr. Pollock said. “It’s spring break and kids are travelling throughout the province with their families.” There is an effective vaccine for measles — about 88 per cent of kindergarten age children in the IH area are immunized. Recent outbreaks in Alberta, and in the Fraser Valley, are being seen in the unvaccinated population. “There is local variability,” Dr. Pollock said. “Some areas in Interior Health are above 90 per cent immunized and some are less than 80 per cent.” Dr. Pollock says there are three main reasons why some parents do not immunize their children. One, parents may object on religious or philosophical
grounds; 2, parents may doubt the safety of the vaccine; or 3, they just haven’t got around to it. “It is a two-dose vaccine series,” she said. “We encourage people to check their own and their children’s immunization records to make sure that both shots were received.” IH advises everyone born since 1970 should be vaccinated. People born prior to that date were likely exposed to measles or had them. You can call your local health unit to make an appointment for a measles vaccine. In Kimberley, that’s 250-427-2215, in Cranbrook, 250-420-2207 “We will certainly accommodate anyone looking to get their vaccine up to date,” Dr. Pollock said.
Measles can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which can lead to seizures, deafness or brain damage. Measles are highly contagious. Early symptoms are fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to light. A red blotchy rash appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. It can also present with white spots in the mouth. If you suspect that you or anyone in your family is ill with the measles, call the ER or doctor ahead of time to avoid exposing others.