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B.C. measles outbreak appears ‘largely’ contained at 228 confirmed cases

A measles outbreak in a low-immunized area of British Columbia appears to be mostly under control, following confirmation that 228 confirmed cases of measles have been "largely" contained to their original community.

But the prevalence of an anti-vaccination movement continues to cause headaches for Canadian health officials, with more work needed to convince the public of the benefits of immunization.

Fraser Health declared a measles outbreak on March 8 in the region of Fraser East, located just outside Vancouver. The outbreak was said at the time to be centred at a school and religious group in Chilliwack, B.C., and later spread to the surrounding area.

More than two weeks and more than 200 confirmed cases later, the health agency says the outbreak is nearly under control.

In a statement on Monday, Fraser Health said residents who had previously gone without immunization were starting to take the matter seriously and seek out measles vaccine at clinics established in the area.

“We currently have 228 confirmed cases of measles in the Fraser East region, and largely these cases are contained within the original community where the outbreak began,” said Dr. Van Buynder, Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer. “We know our vaccine program is working because if it were not, we would be seeing measles cases multiplying outside of this specific population. I am encouraged by this and want to stress the need for people to continue to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves, their families and others from this disease.”

Celebrating that the 228 known cases of measles have been "largely" is an indication of how bad the situation had become. The outbreak was said to have started at a Chilliwack Christian school, which featured low rates of immunization for apparent religious reasons.

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According to the World Health Organization, worldwide vaccination rates reached 84 per cent in 2012. Canadian vaccination rates were largely in line with the worldwide number, but in the Fraser Valley area, the rate of immunization were said to be between 60 and 70 per cent.

According to the National Post, the immunization rate at some schools in the affected area was zero per cent.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe illness and death to those exposed to the disease without adequate immunization. Measles spreads easily and can cause fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the patient's face and neck to the chest, arms and legs. About one in 3,000 cases are fatal, with children and pregnant women most at the highest risk. Thankfully, two doses of a common vaccine can immunize a person from measles.

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But despite overwhelming medical evidence in favour of vaccines, there is a prevalent anti-vaccine movement in North America. Actress and former Playboy cover girl Jenny McCarthy is among the best-known anti-vaccine advocates. But there are also groups in British Columbia that claim vaccines "can damage a child's developing immune system and brain."

Dr. David Scheifele of the Vaccine Evaluation Centre at B.C. Children’s Hospital, told CTV News recently that combating the spread of misinformation about vaccines was a major reason why some Canadians still don't get vaccinated.

“It’s challenging. It’s frustrating. We have to continually work at educating the public as to the risks that these diseases continue to pose, and the benefits of getting the vaccine,” he told the network.

With vaccines as prevalent as they are, it is a wonder that so many children remain unimmunized. But that is the reality we face. Two-hundred-and-twenty-eight confirmed cases of measles, finally contained thanks in part to expanded immunization efforts. And yet questions linger?