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Canada measles: Infection is ‘most transmissible’ on the planet

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Amid a growing number of measles outbreaks in the United States and Europe, health officials are warning the public about the possibilities of outbreaks in Canada, with one infectious disease specialist saying even a few measles cases can spark an outbreak.

“We have to remember that measles is a very, very transmissible infection,” Dr. Isaac Bogoch, a Toronto-based infectious disease specialist, told CTV News Channel. “Probably the most transmissible infection on the planet.”

On Wednesday, Ontario’s top doctor issued a warning to public health units saying they should prepare for more cases and “potential outbreaks” of measles.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says “given this dramatic rise in cases globally, health system partners in Ontario must be prepared.”

He said he also expects the “continued importation of cases” and his memo urges health-care practitioners to encourage vaccinations with March Break vacations coming up.

Bogoch says that measles “isn’t a benign infection” and warns it can cause “significant morbidity and mortality,” particularly for children.

“It kills 140,000 people per year on the planet,” Bogoch explained. “Most of them are kids, all of these are preventable.”

Canada’s ideal vaccination rate

The measles vaccine is “safe and freely available,” but according to Bogoch, the country needs to maintain vaccination rates “above 90 per cent, preferably above 95 per cent” to avoid outbreaks in Canada.

However, he warns that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “many people have missed routine vaccinations,” and is urging the public to “check those vaccine cards.”

He’s also warning those born before 1996 to double-check their vaccination status. Why? That’s the year the second dose of the measles vaccine was “really rolled out.”

“Some people might think they’ve had two doses, but they might only have had one dose.”

What’s the risk for Canada?

Measles is a viral infection that spreads through the air and close contact. Symptoms start to present anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure.

Bogoch says “there are always pockets” where vaccine rates are lower, which means those places are “susceptible to outbreaks,” and he warns that rising anti-science and anti-vaccination movements mean more are choosing “not to vaccinate themselves or their children.

With the World Health Organization saying there’s been an alarming rise in measles globally, Bogoch says keeping vaccination rates high is key for Canada, particularly in an age of “incredible human mobility.”

“This is a growing problem,” he says. “This infection will find a way.”

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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary

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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.

Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.

Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.

Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.

Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.

RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.

“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.

But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.

“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.

While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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26-year-old son is accused of his father’s murder on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

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RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.

Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.

The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.

It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.

Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.

Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”

However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.

McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.

He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.

The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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