Old Diseases Return: Global Nursing Conference in Calgary
Public Health Nurses Crucial in Reversing Declining Vaccination Trends Amidst Measles Resurgence
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Calgary, AB – As the seventh International Global Network of Public Health Nursing Conference convenes in Calgary, a stark warning about the global decline in vaccination rates and its direct link to the resurgence of infectious diseases like measles is being sounded by leading public health experts. The conference, co-hosted by the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Nursing and Mount Royal University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, highlights the critical role nurses play in addressing these escalating health challenges.
Global Health Indicators in Decline
Dr. David Catton, a keynote speaker at the conference, emphasized that the issues facing Canada are mirrored worldwide. “Many of the indicators of global health are heading in the wrong direction,” Catton stated. He pointed to increasing numbers of individuals unable to access or afford healthcare, aging populations, a rise in mental health conditions, and a concerning comeback of infectious diseases that were once thought to be on the verge of eradication.
“This is a direct result of a decline in vaccination rates to levels that are worse than they were before the [COVID-19] pandemic,” Catton explained. He stressed that reversing these trends is paramount to curbing diseases like measles,and that nurses are “ideally placed” to lead this effort.
Nurses: The Trusted Frontline in Public Health
Catton highlighted the unique position of nurses in public health initiatives. “Nobody wants to be sick or unwell, but they need to get that help and advice from those who they trust,” he said. “And nurses are consistently the most trusted profession in surveys that are done right the way around the world. So, that trust brings power to heal and to improve public health.”
He further underscored the value of vaccination, calling it “the best public health buy there is.” Catton elaborated, “In terms of bang for buck, the cost is minuscule in terms of the return in good health.”
New Measles Exposure Alert Issued in Calgary
The urgency of Catton’s message was underscored by a new measles exposure alert issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS) concurrently with the conference’s opening. An individual with a confirmed case of measles was present in several public locations while infectious, raising concerns about potential community spread.
Locations and Dates of Potential Exposure:
South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co. (2437 Fourth St. S.W.): July 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Pinnacle Medical Centres Crowfoot (31 Crowfoot Way N.W.): July 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
AHS is advising anyone who was at these locations during the specified times to be aware of potential exposure. Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily through airborne transmission.
Who is at Risk and What to Watch For:
Individuals born after 1969 who have received fewer than two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine may be at risk. AHS advises these individuals to self-monitor for symptoms, which include:
Fever of 38.3 C or higher
Cough
Runny nose
Red eyes
* A rash that appears three to seven days after the onset of fever, typically starting behind the ears and on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
AHS also issued a critical reminder about the potential complications of measles, which can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and in rare cases, death. The alert specifically noted that pregnant individuals, children under five years of age, and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of severe outcomes.
The conference aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among public health nursing professionals globally, addressing critical issues like vaccine hesitancy and the resurgence of preventable diseases.