Measles cases soar in northeast B.C. after long weekend

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  Measles numbers in the northeast have spiked over the long weekend with 19 new cases announced today. 

According to the latest BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) measles case count update, 21 new cases have been confirmed in the province, with 19 of those being reported by Northern Health. 

In the last update from BCCDC on July 31st, Northern Health had reported 91 cases of measles in 2025, with no new cases being confirmed since July 28th. 

As of August 5th, Northern Health has reported 110 confirmed cases of measles in 2025, and 16 probable cases, for a total of 126. 

The update also reported Fraser Health has now logged 22 cases of measles in 2025, Interior Health 12, Vancouver Coastal Health 10 and Island Health three.

This means Northern Health currently has reported 100 per cent of the province’s probable cases and 70 per cent of the province’s confirmed cases.

Overall the province currently has one active case, which is in the Interior Health region, 157 confirmed cases and 16 probable cases for a total of 173 cases of measles this year.

Symptoms of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to light and a rash which typically appears on the face and neck before spreading to the chest, arms and legs.

Residents who experience similar symptoms to those listed are encouraged to stay at home and connect with their care provider to get tested.

As of August 5th, the most recently announced measles exposure location in the Northern Health region was at the Fort St. John Hospital emergency department on July 13th. 

To read the BCCDC’s complete case count update, see below.