Surge of rare disease hits Vancouver Island's homeless people; vaccines being offered

There are eight lab\u002Dconfirmed cases of haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) in Victoria, Nanaimo and Parksville.

There have been eight ­lab-confirmed cases — and one death — of haemophilus influenzae type B in people in their 20s to 70s living in Victoria, ­Nanaimo and Parksville since late 2021. A typical year would see one case at most on the Island.Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control says the disease usually infects children under age 5. Before universal vaccinations began, it was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children ages two months to five. Meningitis can present as a progressive stupor or coma and the fatality rate can be as high as five per cent. There’s a 15-20 per cent chance of complications including brain damage and deafness.

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