Vaccines urged after meningitis-causing disease diagnosed at Okanagan high school

Interior Health is urging staff and students at an Okanagan high school to ensure they're vaccinated after at least two students were diagnosed with meningococcol disease a rare infection that can lead to meningitis.

The studentsgo to South Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver, B.C.On Friday, the health authority said it's also investigating a possiblethird case.

The disease is a bacterial infectionthat can affect the lining around the brain and, potentially, the blood. Meningitis is the swelling of the brain'slining and spinal cord and can be deadly.

It's rare in Canada, but apublic service announcement advisedstudents and staff at the school and anyone else at risk to ensure they have the latestvaccine.

"Although the risk of getting this disease is low, we are advising anyone who may have been exposed to take the precaution of getting immunized," said Rakel Kling, a medical health officer with Interior Health.

The notice said anyone who isn't vaccinatedwould not be "appropriately" protected.

The infection spreads through sneezing, coughing or direct contact with saliva. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, headache and a sudden high fever.

Anyone who has these symptoms is asked to see a doctor immediately. Those looking for a vaccine are asked to go to the followingimmunization clinics in Oliver and not to a hospital:

• South Okanagan Secondary School Friday (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Oliver Health Centre Saturday (9 a.m. - noon)