KENORA — Officials with the Northwestern Health Unit are urging people who plan on travelling over the next while to make sure their immunizations are up to date before leaving.
“With spring break and an increase in travel coming up, there is a real risk that diseases, like measles, could spread to our area,” said a press release issued by the health unit on Tuesday. “Many vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise provincially, nationally and around the world.”
People six months of age or older may also qualify for an additional dose of the vaccine designed to contain measles if they’re travelling to an area of risk, the health unit added.
A Government of Canada website containing specific information about the status of measles globally notes that the disease is on the rise worldwide.
Public health officials also reminded people to check their routine vaccination records to make sure they are up-to-date; they can be accessed via their health care provider or through the health unit. Staff with the NWHU will also be in schools during February and March, the media release added, asking families to provide consent for anyone who received a notice that they’re due.
“Routine vaccinations protect against diseases that can be highly contagious, and in some cases very serious or deadly,” the media release stated, adding that travellers should consult the Government of Canada website on travel prior to going anywhere.
The Northwestern Health Unit offers a range of public health services across the Rainy River District and through part of the Kenora District.
