Measles outbreak mostly contained at 228 cases: Fraser Health

The Fraser Health Authority's top doctor is continuing to urge people to seek vaccinations after 228 cases of measles were confirmed in the eastern parts of British Columbia's Fraser Valley.

Dr. Paul Van Buynder says many of the cases have been contained to the original community where the outbreak occurred and efforts toisolate and contain the measles virus, including holdingvaccination clinics, appear to be working.

"We know our vaccine program is working because if it were not, we would be seeing measles cases multiplying outside of this specific population,"VanBuyndersaid in a written statement.

"I am encouraged by this and want to stress the need for people to continue to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves, their families and others from this disease."

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The outbreak was first declared March 8 in a region east of Vancouver where immunization rates were low in school and religious groups.

The health authority then warned the virus was spreading and confirmed early last week that a student fromBCITinBurnaby, B.C., was infected.

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But Fraser Health says it has also been working with schools, community groups, churches and medical officials to control the virus and it has set up dedicated immunization clinics.

Van Buynder says those efforts are paying off because the virus is not multiplying beyond the specific population where it broke out.