TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 27, 2014) - Travel alerts for polio worldwide & the resurgence of measles outbreaks in Canada, Europe and Africa, highlight the need for Canadians to get vaccinated before travelling to affected areas, says family Doctor Vivien Brown, Vice-President, Medical Affairs, Medisys Health Group. "Measles is a virus that can affect anyone and is highly contagious for individuals that have not previously had measles, or have not been vaccinated."
"As long as measles is affecting children in other parts of the world, Canada will be affected as well," adds Dr. Vivien Brown, who is also a board member of Immunize Canada. "That's why it's extremely important for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated twice. Once when they are 12-15 months old, and again when they are 4-6 years old. Adults born before 1970 are likely immune, and everyone else needs to check their records!"
Polio, which has been eliminated from most countries, continues to occur in some areas of the world. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that travelers get vaccinated against polio when going to countries where polio has not been eliminated: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Syria, and Iraq.
"As for polio, our travel clinics have been busy answering questions from travellers about getting the vaccine even when not travelling in affected areas," Adds Dr. Brown. "Our advice is to have one shot for polio, called IPV as an adult, if you have not already done so."
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus of the same name. It causes fever, runny nose and a characteristic rash all over the body. Most people recover, but the infection is fatal in between one and three of every 1,000 cases.
Polio is a contagious disease. It is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Polio can attack the central nervous system and destroy the nerve cells that activate muscles, which may cause paralysis and death.
About Medisys Health Group
Founded in 1987, Medisys Corporate Health LP is the leading Canadian provider of healthcare services to corporations. Through its national network of facilities, including clinics in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, Medisys delivers preventative, diagnostic and consultative healthcare services to approximately 6,000 corporations, including 65% of the Financial Post 500.