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National Post
16 minutes ago
- National Post
Canada could lose its measles elimination designation by October: experts
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Since the start of a new wave of measles cases last fall, Ontario had tallied 2,353 as of July 29, while Alberta's total number of cases as of Friday was 1,656 The province reported Friday that there are now 1,656 measles cases in Alberta. Measles cases across the country are being reported daily and, if the trend continues, Canada will likely lose its designation by October as a country that has eliminated measles. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Alberta currently has the second highest number of cases with 1,656 as of Friday afternoon, sitting behind Ontario, which is reporting 2,353 cases as of July 29. The situation in Canada has raised several red flags from experts and physicians with cases now exceeding those in the entire United States. Dr. Stephanie Smith, an infectious disease physician at the University of Alberta Hospital, said for a country to lose its designation as one that has eliminated measles, there has to be evidence of ongoing transmission within Canada for one year — not cases brought from elsewhere. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again The first measles outbreak began in October 2024 in New Brunswick and, since then, has spread to 10 of 13 provinces and territories, according to the Government of Canada's measles dashboard. The only jurisdictions with no reported cases are Yukon, Nunavut, and Newfoundland and Labrador. 'I think that we will continue to have cases into the next several months. I think it's very unlikely that we won't lose our elimination status, which is really disappointing given this is something that is quite preventable,' Smith said. Smith said losing the designation doesn't mean anything specific, but is a metric to measure the general health of Canada's population and the health care system. Losing the designation would suggest Canada's public health systems are not where they should be compared to other high-income countries. Smith said the current number of cases is 'incredibly high' for measles. 'What is important to understand is that because measles is transmitted primarily by airborne route, the way that we have to manage that in the hospital is a little bit different, and it does make it quite challenging to manage patients in some health care settings,' she said. At Alberta Hospital Edmonton — a mental health hospital — she said there are no negative pressure rooms, which is where staff would put those who have measles. Smith said if a situation arose where an inpatient or patient has measles and needs the care provided by Alberta Hospital, they're unable to go there. Janna Shapiro, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto's Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, said in Ontario, cases have slowed but are still present. Moving forward with future outbreaks of infectious diseases, she emphasized the need for better data on vaccination coverage across Canada and targeted outreach to address under-vaccination in certain communities. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I think the key here is prevention and starting programs before there's a problem,' Shapiro said. 'If you wait until there's an outbreak, it's really hard to get on top of it, especially with something as contagious as measles.' In a Thursday statement from Alberta's Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services to Postmedia, the ministry said the province takes the current measles situation seriously and is closely monitoring the outbreak. 'There are currently 16 active cases in Alberta — a number that has remained stable for several weeks,' the statement said. 'This stabilization is not simply the result of fewer people left to infect, as some have speculated, but reflects the impact of increased immunization rates and targeted public health interventions that are making a measurable difference.' According to the province, there have been more than 92,000 vaccinations administered between March 16 and July 26, a 57 per cent increase from the same time last year. It said in both the south and north zones, vaccinations rose by 122 per cent and 95 per cent. The province launched an immunization campaign in May, which it said will now expand through mid-August to keep momentum into the school year. 'Immunization remains our strongest defence. We continue to urge all Albertans to check their immunization records and ensure they and their children are up to date,' the statement said.
CBC
36 minutes ago
- CBC
Residents waiting for answers after suspicious fire at London community housing apartment
Social Sharing Several people are waiting to return to their homes following a Monday morning fire at a community housing complex that fire crews are calling suspicious. Just before 9 a.m., crews were called to an apartment fire at 349 Wharncliffe Rd. N., where they encountered heavy smoke and fire coming from a third-floor unit, platoon chief Gary Mosburger said. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the one unit in less than 10 minutes, he said, but there was damage to others. "The fire consumed the main apartment unit, and then smoke migration throughout the rest of the building occurred as well," Mosburger said. "HVAC piping as well as general water lines that are coming in to provide water to your sinks can get hot enough that it will melt or break. With that, comes the need to shut off the water." Residents told CBC News they saw thick smoke, flames and shattered glass coming from the third floor. "It was thick black smoke. It smelled very chemically, like burnt rubber almost," said eighth-floor resident Mackenzie Lavalliere, who had been outside with her dogs since the fire broke out. "Everything's charred on the balcony and the whole window blew off." The eight-floor high-rise building, located just off Western Road, has 145 units and is owned by London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH). "I woke up, looked out the balcony and saw thick black smoke with some dude on the [third floor] balcony," said Cheryl Ann Linekar, who was staying over at the apartment building the night before. "As time went on, it got hotter and glass was exploding literally all over the place. At one point, he was ducking down and the fireman had to put the ladder up to rescue him," she said. Fire crews rescued one person who was living in the unit where the fire started, Mosburger said, and that person is being treated for smoke inhalation. "It's really situational, due to the fact that the smoke was coming out of the west side of the building so if people had windows open or smoke was being sucked in by HVAC units, it obviously affected their units," Mosburger said. "It was a little bit all over the place." About 50 people were told to exit the building this morning, though many have now returned to their units. Mosburger said it is unclear how many people will not be able to return to the apartment tonight. Red Cross, London police and LMCH will help people find temporary accommodations if necessary, Mosburger said. "We are working with emergency services and supporting tenants affected by the incident. The safety and well-being of our tenants is our top priority," LMCH spokesperson Matt Senechal said in a statement. Linekar was staying two floors up from the fire and said that while she is allowed to return to the unit, she plans to stay outdoors until more smoke clears. "It smells so bad. You can smell it out here, but it's way worse in there," she said. Crews are continuing to monitor air quality, Mosburger said. Fires common at apartment building, residents say Mosburger would not comment on the cause of Monday's fire, but said that it is believed to be suspicious. Fire prevention investigators and London police will continue investigating. Damage is estimated at over $200,000, Mosburger said. Some building residents and neighbours say fires are a common sight at the community housing apartment. "When I moved in here in April of 2024, there was a fire alarm every other day or every other week, so we just got used to it," said Lavalliere, adding that she always checks the London fire scanner before leaving the building to ensure it's not a false alarm. Linekar, who visits the apartment building often, said she has seen fires four separate times. "I don't even know what or how I feel. It's just stressful," she said.
CBC
36 minutes ago
- CBC
Indigenous leaders, Olympian among 15 appointed to Order of B.C.
As British Columbians mark B.C. Day across the province, 15 people have been appointed to the Order of British Columbia. The order, established in 1989, recognizes people who have made "extraordinary contributions" to B.C. and beyond, the province said in a media release. It's considered the highest form of recognition in the province. Among the new appointees are three Indigenous leaders: Stan Bevan (Satsan), a Tahltan/Tlingit and Tsimshian artist and cultural leader; Elder Gwen Harry (Chésha7/Wigistame), a residential school survivor and education leader from the Squamish Nation; and Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie (Simo), a long-time advocate for Indigenous self-governance. Also appointed was Charmaine Crooks, an Olympic silver medallist and advocate for youth, equity and global sport, the province says. Four physicians were included in this year's Order of B.C. appointees, including Richmond's Sandy Dhami for her work with neurodiverse children; Vancouver's Ruth Grunau for her research into infant pain; Lantzville's Robin Love for his leadership in end-of-life care and Vancouver's John Yee for his "life-saving leadership" around lung transplants and cancer screening. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia said in a media release that this year's order recipients have left a lasting impact on their communities. "By lifting others and leading with purpose, they are helping to shape a stronger, more inclusive British Columbia for generations to come." This year's full list of recipients: Stan Bevan (Satsan), Terrace. Graham Clarke, Vancouver. Charmaine Crooks, West Vancouver. Sandy Dhami, Richmond. Ruth Grunau, Vancouver. Elder Gwen Harry (Chésha7/Wigistame), Squamish. Mark Jaccard, Vancouver. Jeremy Kinsman, Victoria. Chief Robert Louie (Simo), West Kelowna. Robin Love, Lantzville. Susannah Pierce, West Vancouver. Allan Seckel, Vancouver. Martha Sturdy, West Vancouver. Alan Twigg, Vancouver. John Yee, Vancouver. There are now 530 people who have been appointed to the Order of B.C. since its inception. The newest appointees will be inducted into the order at a ceremony in Victoria next month.
