Northeast B.C. records new confirmed measles case for first time in month

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C — Northeast B.C. has recorded a new confirmed measles case for the first time in over a month, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). 

The BCCDC’s latest measles update shows northeast B.C. has seen 322 confirmed cases since the outbreak in 2025, up from 321 on March 5th, 2026.

As of April 9th, 2026, the whole Northern Health area accounts for 81.6 per cent of the province’s 462 total measles cases, according to the latest BCCDC update.

Of the 377 total cases in Northern Health, including both confirmed and probable cases, the northeast region specifically accounts for 75 per cent of those, with 349 total cases.

While northeast B.C. currently reports no active cases, it does report 322 confirmed and 27 probable cases. 

Between March 22nd to March 28th, Northern Health reported two new non-active cases of measles. 

Northern Health warned of people possibly being exposed to two potential measles cases in Fort St. John on March 17th, 2026.  

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red and inflamed eyes. These symptoms are usually followed by a rash, starting on the face and neck, before it spreads to the chest, arms and legs, according to the BCCDC.

According to the BCCDC, measles cases are considered active for four days after the appearance of the rash, or 10 days after experiencing symptoms if no rash is present. 

In the event of no symptoms being available, measles is considered active for 10 days after the case is reported. 

BCCDC considers those who have two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, have laboratory evidence of immunity, or were born before 1970 or 1957 for healthcare workers, as ‘immune.’ 

People who are not considered ‘immune’ and believe they have been exposed to measles may be asked to isolate. 

Measles is a highly contagious virus. The BCCDC says measles can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Sharing food, drinks, smoking products including cigarettes or e-cigarettes or kissing someone who has measles can also put you at risk of infection.  

According to the BCCDC, those who are completely unvaccinated against the disease, including children under one year of age, are most at risk of infection. 

The BCCDC says those who believe they have measles should have themselves examined by a healthcare provider and to call them in advance in order to ensure proper precautions are in place. 

Keep up with the latest measles news by visiting Energeticcity.ca’s measles page.