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Parents warned about whooping cough risk

Parents whose children attended Ness Lake Bible Camp this summer have been told to watch for symptoms of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, after a person who attended the camp contracted the illness.
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Parents whose children attended Ness Lake Bible Camp this summer have been told to watch for symptoms of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, after a person who attended the camp contracted the illness.

"We are aware of contact at the Ness Lake Bible Camp with a person that has pertussis and the letter going to families was a way to be open and transparent and promote the need for surveillance in the event that their child starts to develop symptoms," said Jonathon Dyck, public affairs and media relations at Northern Health.

"It is also a good reminder about vaccinations and the benefits so that's why the letter was sent out."

At present, there are 12 whooping cough cases in the region, said Dyck.

That's a typical seasonal increase of pertussis in the area, in stark contrast to the outbreak of whooping cough that has been declared in northern Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan.

Vaccines have always been very effective in helping control the spread of diseases and vaccinations have saved more lives in Canada than any other medical intervention in the last 50 years. Diseases being vaccinated against have not disappeared and if rates of immunization drop the diseases will come back. Last year, the Fraser Valley had an outbreak of 400 cases of measles after a family returned from overseas with their child infected.

At any age vaccination provides long lasting, effective protection.

Immunizations protects a community as well. Certain groups of people cannot be immunized because they are too young or have an illness or a weakened immune system. For more information visit immunizebc.ca/.