Seven new measles cases confirmed in northeast B.C. as cases continue to climb

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Measles cases in northeast B.C. continue to rise, with seven cases confirmed in the region this week.

In its December 4th update, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) reported there have now been 300 confirmed and 24 probable measles infections in Northern Health this year, 324 total, up from 314 in last week’s report (November 27th). 

Confirmed cases climbed by eight, while the number of probable cases rose by two.

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According to the BCCDC, 308 of Northern Health’s cases – 285 confirmed and 23 probable – originated in the northeast region. That’s an increase from 278 confirmed cases last week. 

The northeast continues to experience the concentration of B.C.’s outbreak, making up 95 per cent of Northern Health’s total cases.

One confirmed case was also reported this week in Northern Health’s northern interior, along with one new probable case.

Province-wide, B.C. has now recorded 399 measles cases, 374 confirmed and 25 probable. Northern Health accounts for 81 per cent of those cases.

As of December 4th, there are three active or communicable cases in B.C., up from one active case in last week’s update. All three active cases are in the Northern Health region, one in the northeast and two in the northern interior.

The virus is considered “active” for four days after a rash appears or for 10 days after other symptoms start if the person doesn’t get a rash or if the BCCDC does not have information on their symptoms.

Symptoms typically include a fever, cough, runny nose and red, light-sensitive eyes, followed by a red rash that can last up to a week. Small white spots may also appear inside the mouth.

The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and is known to be highly contagious. According to the BCCDC, roughly one in 10 patients requires hospitalization.

There have been various measles exposure warnings issued by Northern Health in Fort St. John:

• The Fort St. John Curling Club from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 2nd.
• Fort St. John’s Ecole Central Elementary School from November 5th to 7th. 
• Fort St. John Hospital emergency room from 7:10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on November 4th.
• Fort St. John Hospital emergency room from midnight to 1 a.m. on November 5th.
• Olympus Cards And Collectibles, 9129 96a Street, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on November 12th.
• Walmart Supercentre, 9007 96a Street, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on November 14th.
• North Peace Leisure Pool, 9505 100th Street, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on November 14th.
• Fort St. John Hospital emergency room from 6:15 p.m. on November 14th to 2:35 a.m on November 15th.
• Enterprise, 10811 89th Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 24th.
• Fort. St. John Hospital emergency room from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on November 26th.
• Fort. St. John Hospital emergency room from November 27th at 11:45 p.m. to November 28th at 3:15 a.m.

Anyone who thinks they have measles is urged to contact their primary care provider. 

Keep up to date with Energeticcity.ca’s coverage of the outbreak in northeast B.C. here. 

Read the BCCDC’s full update below.