Confirmed measles cases in Northern Health region nears 200

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has confirmed five new measles cases since late last week, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).

The agency’s latest case count update indicates there are now 193 confirmed cases of measles in the Northern Health region, up from 188 on Thursday, September 11th.

Those five new cases, plus three more confirmed cases in the Fraser Health region, have brought the total number of confirmed cases in B.C. so far this year to 265. 

Northern Health accounts for roughly 73 per cent of those confirmed cases.

No new probable cases were identified, although the number of probable cases in the Northern Health area has reportedly gone down from 18 to 17.

There are also currently no active measles cases in the Northern Health region, according to the BCCDC, with only four active cases in the province, all located in the Fraser Health area.

Cases are considered active for the first 10 days after they’re reported if they’re asymptomatic, for the first four days after a rash manifests, or for the first 10 days of other symptoms appearing if there’s no rash.

The rash typically forms on the face and neck before spreading across the rest of the torso. Other symptoms include a fever, runny nose, coughing and red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to light.

Measles is a very serious condition. According to the BCCDC, one in 10 people who contract it end up hospitalized, and it can lead to major health complications like pneumonia.

Late last month, Northern Health identified a potential measles exposure incident at the Fort St. John Hospital’s emergency department between 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 28th and 1 a.m. on Friday, August 29th. 

As of Monday, September 15th, no new exposure incidents have been identified in the region since.

Anyone experiencing measles symptoms is urged to contact their primary care provider to book a test.

To view the full case count update, look below.