Edmonton child contracts vaccine-preventable disease
Posted June 10, 2019 7:47 pm.
Last Updated June 10, 2019 10:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — An Edmonton child has been diagnosed with a rare and possibly life-threatening disease.
A letter from the Edmonton School Board was sent to parents on Friday notifying them that a child attending Evansdale School was diagnosed with Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease.
“It causes a cluster of symptoms most notably difficulty with the heart and nervous system. Most commonly a respiratory illness,” Dr. Chris Fikora, with Alberta Health Services, explained some of the side effects.
It’s rare in Canada because there’s a vaccine for it and Albertans can receive the shot as early as two months old. Alberta Health Services is contacting a small group of people who may have been in close contact with the student.
“In circumstances where there are cases identified, it is important to have good handwashing and make sure people are as healthy as possible,” he pointed out. “Then cleaning high contact surfaces where people usually contact.”
For a list of answers to frequently asked questions about Diphtheria visit the Alberta Health Services website by clicking here.
