Measles cases jump again in Northern Health

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health is reporting 33 measles cases out of 49 throughout the province as of the latest case count update.  

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s measles information page, there have been 49 measles cases reported in B.C. as of June 24th.

Of these, 33 are reportedly in Northern Health, eight in Vancouver Coastal Health, seven in Fraser Health and one in Interior Health. This is an increase of 17 cases across the province since the last case count update on June 19th. 

The centre also noted there are currently 12 active measles cases, with eight in the Northern Health region, three in the Fraser Health region and one in Interior Health. There are currently no active measles cases being reported by Vancouver Coastal Health. 

“[The current case count for Northern Health] 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,” the centre stated. 

Northern Health first released a public notice regarding a “measles-like illness circulating in School District 60” on June 6th.

Northern Health later confirmed a case of measles in Wonowon, issuing a public health warning and cautioning the highly contagious virus had been circulating communities including Wonowon and Fort St. John since late May. 

Measles is spread through airborne droplets and can cause serious or life-threatening complications, with the most susceptible individuals being infants and elderly adults. 

Symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and watery inflamed eyes, small red spots with white or blue-white centres and red, blotchy rashes starting on the face. The rash typically begins between the third and seventh day of illness, and lasts between four and seven days.

Anyone who is experiencing similar symptoms is encouraged to stay at home and connect with their care provider to get tested. 

According to Northern Health, one in 10 cases of measles will develop ear infections or pneumonia; one in 1,000 will experience permanent brain damage, blindness and deafness due to inflammation of the brain; and one in 3,000 cases result in fatalities. 

Several measles outbreaks have been reported around the world with a decline in immunization rates, and Northern Health encourages everyone to get vaccinated as it is the best form of protection.