BCCDC measles update puts Northern Health region at 83 confirmed cases

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The number of measles cases in the Northern Health region has increased again in recent days. 

According to the latest release from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) on July 21st, there has been 83 confirmed cases treated by the health authority this year. 

For today’s update, the BCCDC has changed the way it reports case numbers: it now lists a table charting four different metrics: currently active, confirmed, probable and total.

The new chart suggests one case is active in the north, with 83 confirmed and an additional 16 probable.

A ‘probable’ case is defined by the BCCDC as one where there is “clinical illness without lab confirmation or epidemiological link to a lab-confirmed case, but with recent travel to an area of known measles activity.” 

At the last update on July 17th, BCCDC said there were 77 cases reported by Northern Health. However, at that time it only listed ‘total’ and ‘active’ cases. Energeticcity.ca contacted the BCCDC for clarity on if that previous number included ‘probable’ infections or only lab-confirmed cases, but did not immediately hear back. 

Measles is considered to be ‘active’ or infectious by the BCCDC for four days after a rash appears, or 10 days after symptoms start if there is no rash. Alternatively, if no information on symptoms is available at the time of reporting, then for 10 days after a case is reported.

It should be noted there are no other active cases in other areas around the province. Of the 122 confirmed cases around B.C., 18 were reported in the Fraser region, nine in the Vancouver Coastal and Interior areas and another three confirmed on Vancouver Island. 

People in Fort St. John have been warned by Northern Health about several possible measles exposure times and locations in the city, with a recent identified site at the Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 3:30 p.m. on July 4th and 2 a.m. on July 5th.

Symptoms of the virus can include a fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to light. 

Rashes usually appear on the face and neck first and spread to other parts of the body, including the chest, arms and legs. 

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

This comes as a Fort St. John mother spoke out about her difficulty getting her son tested for measles after he developed a rash.