BCCDC reports seven new measles cases in northeast B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Measles cases continue to roll in in northern B.C. as the province’s case count nears 450.

On January 15th, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) announced eight new cases of measles had been recorded since its January 8th report. 

Of those, six are confirmed cases and two are probable cases, and all were reported by Northern Health.

All the confirmed cases and one probable case were recorded in northeast B.C., and the remaining probable case was reported in the northern interior.

Cases of measles are considered ‘probable’ if the individual recently travelled to an area of “known measles activity,” but a laboratory has yet to confirm if the illness is measles.

These cases bring the provincial total of confirmed cases to 406, and its probable case count up to 27. 

This means the total number of measles cases the province has experienced since June 2025 could be as many as 433.

Of this, Northern Health has reported 331 confirmed cases and 26 probable cases, accounting for 82.4 per cent of the province’s total. 

Individuals can begin to experience symptoms of measles as long as seven to 12 days after being exposed and infected, as the highly infective virus is able to spread through air-borne droplets expelled by breathing, coughing and sneezing. 

Measles infections are especially dangerous for vulnerable individuals, and results in one in 10 people needing hospitalization with health complications such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, and it can even lead to death.

Symptoms of measles can include a rash, red, light-sensitive eyes, a fever, cough and a runny nose. A rash from measles can last up to a week, spreading from the face and neck to the torso. 

Northern Health also reported a measles exposure at the start of the year in Fort St. John at Lonestar Nightlife. 

The BCCDC advises all individuals who believe they may have been exposed to measles to isolate themselves, monitor for symptoms and seek testing from their primary care provider if they experience any. 

In 2025, the BCCDC reported more than 400 cases of measles between June and December. 

To read Energeticcity.ca’s coverage of the measles outbreak in northeast B.C., visit our measles page.

To read the full report, see below.