By 1075 Beach Radio News

Okanagan Meningococcal outbreak declared over

Feb 14, 2018 | 11:00 AM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health has officially declared an end to the meningococcal outbreak in the Okanagan.

It says there have been no additional cases since  December 28th.

More than 14 thousand people aged 15-19 have been immunized.

Of those,11,417 immunizations were administered as part of the outbreak-the highest number of total immunizations given as part of an Interior Health-declared outbreak.

Interior Health credits that to its partnership with school officials and community stakeholders in the Okanagan that resulted in quickly mobilizing large school immunization clinics, availability of vaccine at local pharmacies, and significant media coverage.

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“I want to thank the public for helping us reach this milestone, by sharing information with their friends and family and encouraging those most at risk to get immunized,” says Dr. Silvina Mema, Medical Health Officer, Interior Health. “A large proportion of the high-risk population is now protected against meningococcal disease, which will greatly reduce the likelihood of future cases of this disease.”

Thousands of doses of vaccine transported from across Canada, scheduling hundreds of clinics to offer immunizations throughout the Okanagan and partnering with local pharmacies as another option for individuals to access vaccine.

From late September to November, three cases of meningococcal disease were identified in the Oliver area.

One youth died, but it has never been determined that he died from the disease.

A Coldstream teenager who contracted the disease is still recovering at home.