Public advised to get vaccinated for IMD after rise in cases
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The province is advising Manitobans to get vaccinated for a bacterial disease after a rise in cases since December 2023.
Manitoba public health and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara urged people on Wednesday to check their vaccine records and see their health-care provider to ensure they are up to date with their routine meningococcal immunizations.
“Ensuring everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated is important for reducing transmission and preventing new cases,” the province said in a news release.
Uzoma Asagwara
Last year, four deaths and 23 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by serogroup W were reported in Manitoba — about five times the expected number of cases, the release said.
Most cases were detected in the Northern Health Region and have disproportionately affected Indigenous communities.
Infants under 12 months old face the highest risk, although cases have occurred in all age groups, the province said.
IMD is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial illness, with symptoms typically developing between two and 10 days after exposure.
Symptoms may include a dark purple rash that doesn’t change colour when pressed on, severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and a stiff neck.
The disease can progress very rapidly and about one in 10 people with IMD do not survive, the release said. People can experience long-term effects, including hearing loss, brain damage or limb amputations.
Most IMD cases are caused by five types of the meningococcal bacteria: A, B, C, Y and W.
In addition to routine immunizations offered at 12 months and in Grade 6, infants between the ages of six weeks and 12 months may receive up to two additional doses of the meningococcal conjugate quadrivalent (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine if they:
• Live in an Indigenous community within Manitoba.
• Travel regularly to Indigenous communities in Manitoba.
• Have household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba.
Children born between Jan. 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023 can receive the Men-C-ACYW vaccine even if they have previously received a meningococcal C (Men-C-C) vaccine, the release said.
Anyone who has missed receiving a dose of the Men-C-C or Men-C-ACYW vaccine at 12 months or in Grade 6 can still receive a dose of Men-C-ACYW vaccine.
The release said getting the Men-C-ACYW vaccine protects individuals from IMD and helps control the outbreak in Manitoba by reducing the number of people who carry the bacteria in their nose or throat.
Meningococcal bacteria spreads between people by coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing personal items such as water bottles or food, the release said. Many people carry the bacteria in their nose or throat without getting sick and can unknowingly pass it to others.
People can find out whether they’re eligible for meningococcal immunization through the Manitoba public health website.
» The Brandon Sun