Northern Health reports no new measles cases on July 17th

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Northern Health reports no new measles cases and only one active case in the latest measles update. (File)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — No new measles cases have been reported in the Northern Health region, according to the latest information from the province.

In the B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) latest update, there is only one active case of measles, reported by Northern Health, as of July 17th.

An active case is defined by the BCCDC as a case that is within four days of rash onset, within 10 days of symptom onset or after the case is reported if no information on symptoms is available at the time.

Northern Health has not reported any new cases since the centre’s July 14th update, and continues to account for 77 of B.C.’s 115 measles cases in 2025.

Nine cases have been reported by Interior Health, 18 by Fraser Health, eight by Vancouver Coastal Health and three by Island Health.

As of July 18th, there have been six measles exposure locations reported in Fort St. John:

The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 3:30 p.m. on July 4th and 2 a.m. on July 5th.
The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 6:35 a.m. on July 1st and 12:03 a.m. on July 2nd.
The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 4:35 a.m. on July 1st and 6:05 a.m. on July 2nd.
The Fort St. John prenatal clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on June 27th.
The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department and waiting room between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on June 23rd.
Bert Bowes Middle School between 8:30 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. from June 18th to June 20th.

In a July 10th press conference with the Minister of Health Josie Osborne, deputy provincial health officer Dr. Martin Lavoie and doctors from Northern Health and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Dr. Lavoie stated they were aware of a “significant level of under-detection,” because “not everybody shows up and asks for medical services.”

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to light. Rashes usually appear on the face and neck first, spreading to the chest, arms and legs.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms similar to measles or believes they may have been exposed to the virus is encouraged to stay at home and connect with their care provider to get tested.