Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Outbreak in Fraser East - Free Vaccine Clinics
The pertussis outbreak that began in Hope has spread to Agassiz and Chilliwack. Outbreak control measures are in place for Chilliwack and the surrounding area. This includes offering free vaccine to adults and youth living in Hope, Agassiz and Chilliwack (and surrounding area) who are in contact with young children who have not had a pertussis booster in the previous 5 years. All adults living in on-reserve communities are eligible as well.
http://www.fraserhealth.ca/about_us/media_centre/news_releases/2012-news-releases/fraser-health-expands-whooping-cough-alert-to-eastern-fraser-valley
Clinics organized by Seabird:
Chawathil- Thursday January 26 from 1-4pm; Tuesday January 31 from 10-12pm.
Cheam - Wednesday January 25 and January 30
Scowlitz - January 25 (all day); Monday January 30 from 1-3pm
Shxw’ow’hamel- Friday January 27
Kwaw’kwaw’apilt -Tuesday January 24 from 3-5pm.
Skwah- Tuesday January 31 1-3pm.
Seabird- Tuesday January 24 - 27: drop in
Linda Kay Peters
Ye mi sqeqó:tel la xwe’ lets’emó:t ó
Community Hub Coordinator
Please note the following upcoming drop-in clinics that Sto:lo Health & the Chilliwack Health Unit will be providing at First Nation sites and open to all:
Skway band office (Shxwha:y Village 44680 Schweyey Rd.Chilliwack) Jan 23 from 2-4pm
Sto:lo Nation Health building (7-7201 Vedder Rd. Chilliwack) Jan 24, & Jan 31 from 9am-4pm
Squiala band office (8528 ASHWELL ROAD Chilliwack) Jan 25 from 2-4pm
Tzeachten hall (45855 Promontory Road, Chilliwack) Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10 from 12:30-4:30pm
Other public health clinics will be available at:
Chilliwack Elementary Community School (9435 Young Rd) - Jan 24 and Jan 31, and Feb 7 from 3-7pm
Chilliwack Community Church (46100 Chilliwack Central Rd) - Jan 25, Feb 1 and Feb 8 from 3:30-6:30pm
Kw’as hoy (thank you)
Brian Muth
Community Engagement Coordinator, Aboriginal Health Fraser Health - Fraser East 45470 Menholm Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1M2
office: 604-702-4975 mobile: 778-241-4235
fax: 604-702-4851
http://www.fraserhealth.ca/your_health/aboriginal/
http://www.fraserhealth.ca
Sto:lo Nation - Health Advisory - posted
Read Sto:lo Nation’s health advisory on the recent outbreak!
(excerpted from the above document)
Stó:lō Nation Health Services
Pertussis Outbreak in the Upper Fraser Valley – January 2012
1. What is pertussis?
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes very severe coughing that may last for months. Whooping cough is very contagious and can be a severe illness in those without proper immunizations. Whooping cough
spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or laughs. After the bacteria infect someone, symptoms appear about 7 to 14 days later. You may not know that you have the infection and can spread it during this time.
Early symptoms are like a cold (sneezing, runny nose, a low fever and a mild cough). But over the next week or two, the cough gets worse leading to longer coughing spells that often end with a “whoop” or crowing sound when the person breathes in. The coughing may be so bad that it makes a person gag or throw up. Sometimes a thick, clear mucous is spit out. The cough can last up to a month or two, and happens more at night.
2. What should you do if you (or your child) develops symptoms?
If you or your child develops cold-like symptoms that you think may be whooping cough, you should seea doctor in a clinic. Call ahead so that you can be seen quickly and not expose other people by sitting in a
waiting room. You may also be examined in an isolation room (if available) and given a mask to wear, or arrangements may be made for you to attend the clinic at a time when the waiting room is empty. If
your child is having difficulty breathing, go the emergency room or call 911. Bring your and your child’s immunization record with you.
3. What is the pertussis vaccine?
DTaP is the vaccine that protects against whooping cough and is given at two (2) months along with the vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus in a single shot. Tdap is the booster vaccine available for people
older than 10 years of age. A booster dose of Tdap is recommended for teens ages 14 to 16. Any adult in the Hope area who has close contact with a baby less than 1 year old, and whose last dose of pertussis
vaccine was 5 or more years ago is eligible for free pertussis vaccination.
For more information on pertussis, call HealthLink BC at 811 or view the BC HealthFiles for Pertussis
online at