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Vol. 120, Issue 125
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1895 - 2015
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IH reports increase in whooping cough cases BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
A surge of whooping cough cases in the Kootenay Boundary has Interior Health (IH) reminding parents to keep their child's immunizations up-to-date. There's been 14 confirmed diagnoses of the illness in the region, adding to 34 cases throughout IH facilities since January. The disease is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory system that can result in prolonged, sometimes life-threatening, illness in infants and young children. The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold, and may include runny nose, sneezing, mild fever and a low-grade cough. After one to two weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into severe coughing spells that can last for more than a minute. The child can cough to the point of breathlessness, and inhalations of air postcough can produce the telltale whooping sound. Caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, whooping cough (also referred to as pertussis) is preventable by immunization that begins at two months of age. Intramuscular injections are repeated three more times
until the child is 18 months, again at four to six years, then as a booster in Grade 9. Those afflicted require treatment with the use of prescribed medication to lessen the infectious period from two to three weeks to as little as five days, says IH Medical Health Officer, Dr. Kamran Golmohammadi.
“We are strongly advising all parents to ensure their children are immunized, so they are not at risk.” KAMRAN GOLMOHAMMADI
“I have to emphasize that this is a completely preventable infectious illness and it has serious implications, especially in small children and infants less than 12 months old,” he explained. Complications can include pneumonia and in rare instances encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain that can be fatal in the very young. “We are strongly advising all parents to ensure their children are immunized, so they are not at risk,” said Golmohammadi . “The pertussis vaccine is very safe and effective in preventing the
PATERSON, WANETA
Borders slated for upgrades BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Five rural B.C. border crossings are up for a modern redesign after receiving an influx of federal dollars in late July. Paterson’s port of entry (POE) and the
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spread of this disease.” The vaccine, referred to as “DPT,” covers immunization against pertussis as well as diphtheria and tetanus. Diagnosis is made by swabbing the throat or nose, and if the test comes back positive for the pertussis bacteria, treatment includes a full course of antibiotics. Science has yet to prove why the endemic disease peaks across Canada often in the summer and every three to five years, says Dr. Golmohammadi. “It is unclear why this cyclic pattern occurs,” he said. “People can assume different theories such as, for example, children are exposed to their cohorts who are immunized, during the school months. (In the summer) they may be exposed to a wider group of people in different age groups, which are less protected.” Over time immunity wanes, so more interaction with the public might potentially introduce children to people who have the bacteria. “The group we are most concerned with are children less than 12 months, especially those who have no immunity or incomplete immunity.” To produce an outbreak, two factors are required. See UP-TO-DATE, Page 3
Waneta Border Crossing are on the list, though construction won’t begin for a few more years, says Robin Barcham, communications advisor for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). “The POEs were built decades ago and need to be upgraded or replaced to satisfy the demands of modern border management,” she explained. “Improvements to facilities will help ensure our various sized and remote ports of entry will continue to deliver service excellence to travellers and traders.”
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SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Jeannine Stefani, public health nurse for Interior Health, shows the pertussis vaccine. The routine immunization is given to infants at two months, four months, six months and 18 months of age. A booster is given to children prior to Kindergarten then again in Grade 9.
The current three-storey Port of Paterson structure was built in 1950, according to Barcham. Upgrades to the site were made in 1980 and again in 1990. Waneta’s two-storey port building is now 40 years old. It’s listed in “good” condition on the government’s treasury website, but the floor size is noted to be only 171 square-metres, and presents challenges for border service agents. Barcham said new space demands are needed for seized goods, technology enhancements and other operational
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requirements. “Upgrades to our POEs will ensure border service officers work in facilities that meet our current and future realities and requirements, which include increased traveller volumes, service levels, and greater use of technology,” she added. “Modern port of entry facilities will help ensure the free flow of legitimate travel and trade across Canadian borders and improved operational efficiencies.” See IMPROVEMENTS, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
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