Students and staff warned of three-day measles exposure at Fort St. John elementary school

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health is warning of a three-day measles exposure at École Central Elementary School in Fort St. John in early November.

In a letter sent to students, families and staff members of the school on November 14th, a measles exposure was recorded at the school from November 5th to 7th.

The letter advises all individuals not protected against measles to stay at home for 21 days from the date they were exposed, and advises others to monitor for symptoms.

Symptoms of the virus – which spreads easily through water droplets expelled by an infected person breathing, coughing or sneezing – include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes that are sensitive to light and a rash starting on the face and spreading to the torso.

Measles is a serious virus and can cause health complications including ear infections, pneumonia and brain swelling. 

An infected person can be contagious up to four days prior to the first sign of symptoms, and symptoms can begin anywhere between seven and 21 days after exposure to the virus.

According to the most recent BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) report on November 13th, there have been 343 cases of measles reported so far in 2025 across B.C., and 257 have been reported by Northern Health. 

There have been a range of exposure locations recently announced by Northern Health in Fort St. John in October and November:

• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency room from 8:08 p.m. to 1:10 a.m. on October 26th to 27th.
• Beem Credit Union, 10344 100th Street, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on October 27th.
• Scotiabank, 9910 100th Street, from 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 27th.
• Humpty’s Big Plate Diner, 11724 Alaska Road North, from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on October 27th.
• No Frills, 9831 98A Avenue, from 11:25 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.​ on October 27th.
• Packaging Depot Fort St. John, 6419 B Airport Road, 11:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. on October 27th.
• Mama Panda, 9608 100th Street, from 6 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. on October 27th.
• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency room from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on October 29th.
• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency room from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 30th.
• The Fort St. John Curling Club from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 2nd.

Residents who believe they have been exposed to measles are asked to monitor for symptoms, and contact their primary care provider to get testing four days after a rash begins.

Anyone without a primary care provider can also contact the Northern Health Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 for health advice.