Five new measles cases confirmed in northeast B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Five more measles cases have been confirmed in northeast B.C. since last week’s report.

According to the January 29th report from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), there are now 418 confirmed cases of measles in the province, along with 27 probable cases, meaning there may have been as many as 445 cases reported in B.C. since June 2025.

This is an increase of 10 cases compared to the January 22nd update, which listed 408 confirmed cases and 27 probable cases, or up to 435 total cases.

In Northern Health, the authority now reports 338 confirmed cases and 26 probable cases, for a total of 364 cases. 

Last week’s report listed 333 confirmed cases, meaning five additional confirmed cases have been recorded over the past week.

The northeast B.C. region specifically reported 342 total cases, 318 confirmed and 24 probable, which is an increase from last week’s 313 confirmed and 24 probable cases, accounting for all new cases in the Northern Health region.

Northern Health represents 81.8 per cent of all measles cases reported in B.C., while northeast B.C. accounts for nearly 94 per cent of Northern Health’s cases.

As of January 29th, the BCCDC reports two active measles cases in the province, down from three active cases reported last week. One active case remains in the northeast.

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.

Symptoms can appear seven to 12 days after exposure.

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. 

As of January 29th, no measles-associated deaths have been reported in B.C. since the start of the outbreak. 

Northern Health recently reported a measles exposure at the Fort St. John Hospital’s emergency room from 11:35 p.m. on January 17th  to 10:10 a.m. on January 18th.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is advised to isolate, monitor for symptoms, and seek testing from a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Keep up to date with Energeticcity.ca’s coverage of the outbreak in northeast B.C. by visiting our measles page. 

To read the BCCDC’s full report, see below.