Fraser East residents are heeding the measles message, according to the Fraser Health Authority (FHA).
Since the disease outbreak on March 8 – which originated in a Chilliwack private school – FHA said people living in Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and Hope have been showing up to local clinics, pharmacies and doctors' offices to get immunizations.
“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. “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.
” The most effective protection against the measles virus is two doses of the vaccine. For information on vaccine clinics, including special general practitioner clinics, in Fraser East communities, visit fraserhealth.ca/your_health/immunizations/measles/news-and-updates/ If residents suspect they have been exposed to measles, or have developed symptoms, they should see their medical practitioner and notify the medical practitioner’s office before arriving in order to prevent the spread of the disease to others at the clinic.