~ Make use of Open House on Saturday ~
PHILIPSBURG--Youth Health Care (YHC) is urging persons who are planning summer vacations to capitalise on YHC's open house this Saturday and be vaccinated.
The open house will be held at YHC offices at the Vineyard Office Park, W.G. Buncamper Road #33, from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
YHC said there is a measles outbreak in Europe. Measles has been reported in Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Measles is caused by a virus that normally grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. It is a human disease and not known to occur in animals. The first sign of measles is usually a high fever that begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus from a measles case. A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage, followed by a rash on the face and upper neck.
"If you are travelling to any of the affected European countries, you should safeguard yourself and your family by ensuring that your and your children's immunisations against measles are up to date," it was stated in the release. "Immunisation is a way of protecting children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases. Once a child or an adult has been fully vaccinated, their bodies can fight those diseases if they come into contact with them."
Unprotected children are at greatest risk of contracting the virus. Parents and guardians must ensure that their children are protected, YHC said.
Persons returning from Europe experiencing a sudden high fever accompanied by a rash should seek medical attention immediately by going to their family physician.
Endemic measles has been eliminated in the Americas, with the last case reported in 2002. For the Caribbean, this year marked the 20th anniversary without an indigenous case of measles.
Parents who will be going to the Open House on Saturday should take along their children's vaccination booklets/cards. "If you are not sure of the vaccination status of your child, you should contact your general practitioner, paediatrician, or YHC for children up through 17 years of age," it was stated in the release.
Additional information can be obtained from YHC at tel. 542-3003, 542-2078 or 542-3553.
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