Measles cases reported in Northern Health increases to 20

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A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is shown on a countertop at a pediatric clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. on Feb. 6, 2015. Measles outbreaks internationally have health officials in British Columbia encouraging people to check their immunization records if they plan to travel abroad during spring break. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eric Risberg — A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eric Risberg)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has confirmed two more cases of measles in Northern Health’s jurisdiction since an outbreak of the disease earlier in June.

This brings the total province-wide number to 32 cases, with 62.5 per cent of those – or a total of 20 – within Northern Health’s region.

This is up from 18 cases reported on June 16th.

A release from the centre says the number “only captures a subset of the actual cases as some communities have a large disease burden” and “not everyone is presenting to Northern Health for diagnosis and healthcare support.”

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications and even death.

The number of measles patients in the regions covered by Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health Authority remained the same – at eight and four respectively – while there is another out-of-province case confirmed to be within B.C.

More information about measles and what to do to prevent the spread of the virus is available through the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website.