‘Significant slowing of new cases of measles across the region,’ said Northern Health

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has said there has been a “significant” slowing of new cases of measles across the region, including the northeast. 

The measles outbreak in Canada started in New Brunswick in October 2024 and spread to more than 5,000 people.

The Pan American Health Organization revoked Canada’s long-held measles elimination status, held since 1998, following the outbreak. 

The health authority began investigating a “measles-like illness” circulating in School District 60 in June 2025. 

By June 16th, the outbreak had grown to 18 cases of measles in Northern Health out of 30 cases in the province. 

Northern Health, in a previous statement to Energeticcity.ca on July 24th, 2025, said its efforts to vaccinate residents were ongoing and 703 people were immunized against measles between June 13th and July 23rd, 2025. 

As per the November 6th, 2025 report, the BC Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) reported 26 new cases of measles from Northern Health, bringing the province’s total to over 350.

In December 2025, the province’s total for 2025 was 389, and Northern Health reported 338 cases, or 81.6 percent of reported measles cases. Of these cases, 294 were discovered in the northeast. 

The number of measles cases increased in 2026, with 333 confirmed cases in Northern Health, according to BCCDC’s January 22nd report. 

However, in February, for the first time in 2026, no new measles cases were reported in northeast B.C. over the course of a week. 

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

Northern Health, in a written statement to Energeticcity.ca, said during this multi-jurisdictional outbreak, measles has been detected in all health authorities in B.C., and a majority of cases have been identified in the Northern Health region. 

The health authority noted as of May 7th, there have been a total of 377 cases of measles – 348 confirmed and 29 probable – in the Northern Health region in 2025 and 2026. 

In the northeast region alone, there are 349 cases: 322 confirmed and 27 probable. 

“Northern Health has seen a significant slowing of new cases of measles across the region, including the northeast,” Northern Health said. “As of May 7, there were no active cases of measles in the Northern Health region, and no new cases had been reported since the end of March.  While this is promising, measles is highly infectious and may begin to spread rapidly again.” 

As of May 7th, 83 per cent of measles cases in B.C. were among unimmunized individuals and seven per cent were among patients whose immunization status was unknown. 

While nine per cent of cases occurred in people with one or two doses of measles-containing vaccine, and one per cent occurred among people assumed to be immune because of their age. 

Northern Health referred to BCCDC’s Immunization Coverage Reports, the most recent of which, from 2024, showed the northeast had the lowest measles immunization rate among Grade 6 students in B.C., at 79.7 per cent. 

The Northern Health average is 83.2 per cent, while B.C.’s average is 88 per cent. 

The health authority said: “The Northern Health region saw a 55.3 per cent increase in the number of measles-containing vaccines administered in 2025, compared to 2024.” 

In 2025, 9,812 doses were administered compared to the 6,318 in 2024.  

“In the Northeast region, there was a 77.7 per cent increase in measles-containing vaccines administered last year, compared to 2024,” Northern Health explained.

The health authority administered 2,958 doses in 2025, compared to 1,665 in 2024. 

Northern Health believes this is a positive trend and hopes it results in higher overall immunization rates in the northeast and across the Northern Health region. 

“However, it is too early to say how this will impact the overall vaccination rate and if this higher rate of immunization will continue,” it added. “So far in 2026, the number of measles-containing vaccines administered in the Northeast has returned to pre-2025 levels.” 

The health authority said it is continuing efforts to provide and promote immunization for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the northeast and across northern B.C. 

“Access to immunizations is available at public health units across Northeast B.C. Residents can contact their local health unit to schedule an immunization appointment or [to ask] any questions about routine immunizations,” it explained. 

The community is asked to check their immunization record on BC Health Gateway or with their primary care provider, to ensure people are fully immunized against measles. 

In addition, HealthLink BC has information on measles, including symptoms, the measles vaccine, and how to check immunization records.

For more information about measles cases in B.C. and what to do if someone is exposed to measles, check the BCCDC website.