Canada and meningitis outbreak

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Can anyone with info on this vaccine e-mail me please. I have has a few

requests for info already.

List Owner

October 17, 2000

War on meningitis

Capital Health launches six-day immunization campaign beginning Thursday

By DAVIS SHEREMATA -- Legislature Bureau

Kowalchuk urges anyone with children two and over to get their kids

inoculated against meningitis in a new round of immunizations that target up

to 125,000 people.

The Edmonton mother should know.

Late in July, her then 14-month-old daughter Kolby had most of her fingers

and all 10 toes amputated after she was stricken with the deadly bug.

" Go and get the shots. It's the best thing you can do right now, " said

Kowalchuk, a happy Kolby squealing in her arms. " What we went through was

very scary. If I had waited another hour before going to the medicentre with

her, I would not have a baby. "

Because 11 cases of meningitis have been reported in Edmonton since July,

the Capital Health Authority is offering meningitis immunizations for six

days beginning Thursday for anyone between the ages of two and 24.

Brett Danylyshen, 19, died of the disease on Oct. 4. A 14-year-old Edmonton

girl is also recovering from the infection after being admitted to

University hospital in critical condition Sept. 30.

Provincial health officer Dr. Waters said about 125,000 people living

in the target areas of Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert and the

counties of Leduc, Strathcona, Sturgeon and Parkland are eligible for the

shots.

Waters said the disease spreads through direct contact with drops from the

nose or mouth of an infected person. He urges people to avoid sharing things

like cigarettes, drinks and eating utensils.

" Parties and other sorts of things where there's a lot of kissing: those

types of actions are also effective at spreading it, " Waters said.

In February, 210,000 people were immunized after two teens died from

meningitis. Seventeen-year-old Ziehlke, of St. Albert, died Jan. 10.

Dawn MacAngus, 16, died Feb. 10.

The immunizations are good for five years.

Anyone inoculated in February is urged not to be inoculated again.

Parents of children who turn two on or before Nov. 15, 2000 should get them

immunized. Dr. Waters said children under two don't have a mature enough

immune system for the vaccine to work.

Kolby's three-year-old sister was immunized in February, but Kolby

was too young.

On July 24, Kolby had a high fever and was throwing up. That evening, " she

went into convulsions in my arms, " said , 30. " I didn't know what to do

so I handed her to my sister-in-law, and she handed her to my mother-in-law.

Kolby stopped breathing. "

The women revived Kolby and took her to the hospital.

Kolby was in intensive care for two more weeks, and had three fingers on

her left hand, and four fingers on her right hand and all her toes

amputated.

" Kolby's got a lot of scars, " said. " I was worried she would be brain

dead, but she's fine. "

For locations and times of inoculations, call Capital Health at 408-LINK.

People outside of Edmonton may call 1-866-551-5465 toll-free.

List Owner of Vaccinations and Vaccine Info

www.geocities.com/mom2q (my work in progress!)

Mom of two great kids who are vaccine free!