Medical Experts Raises Alarm Over  Life-threatening Bacterial Infection

* Call for appropriate Vaccination to guide against infection 

Public health officials in Toronto are raising concerns about an increase in cases involving a “potentially life-threatening bacterial infection”.

They called for appropriate vaccination to guide against the infection.

Toronto Public Health says that there have been 13 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) so far this year, including two which were fatal. 

Officials say that it marks the highest total number of confirmed cases of IMD in any year since 2002.

In a more typical year Toronto sees about six cases of IMD, according to Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vinita Dube.

“It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides and it can give you an infection in your blood, it can give you meningitis and it can make you very, very sick very, very quickly,” Dubey warned.

"The vaccine is really the best way to treat this - to prevent this - because even though we have antibiotics sometimes we can’t treat the person quickly enough.”

Public health officials say that a number of other countries have also reported an increase in IMD cases this year, including the United States.

They say that that while the disease can affect people of any age it is most common in children under five years old as well as teens and young adults who are not vaccinated.

According to a statement from the Toronto Public Health states, “Parents, guardians and caregivers should ensure children are vaccinated against IMD. The vaccine is typically given at 12 months and in Grade Seven and is required under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

"Students who have missed the vaccine can receive it for free from a TPH vaccination clinic." 

In its release on Friday, Toronto Public Health said that the cases reported in the city so far this year have occurred “among both those who have travelled outside of Canada.”

Officials say that people can spread the bacteria that causes the disease by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) and that it generally takes “close or prolonged” contact to spread.
Initial symptoms can include fever, aches, joint pain, headaches, a stiff neck and a sensitivity to light.