BCCDC reports eight new cases of measles in northern B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Eight new measles cases have been confirmed within the Northern Health region after the weekend.

The BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) latest case count update says the current number of confirmed cases of the virus in the north sits at 142, up from 134 in its previous update on August 14th.

Interior Health and Fraser Health are also reporting one additional confirmed case each, bringing the total number of new confirmed cases across B.C. to 10.

The total number of confirmed cases in the province now sits at 197, up from 187 previously. 

Additionally, one new ‘probable’ case was found in the Interior Health area. This brings the total number of probable cases listed by the BCCDC to 17. The remaining 16 were all previously identified by Northern Health.

That means the total number of measles cases could be as high as 214.

Measles cases are considered ‘active’ if a rash began manifesting within the last four days, or if symptoms began manifesting within the last 10 days if no rash is present. Asymptomatic cases are also considered active for the first 10 days after being reported.

As of August 18th, only a single case of measles — identified in the Northern Health region — is considered active in B.C.

A measles exposure reportedly occurred on August 3rd at the Fort St. John Hospital emergency department from 10:35 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. Since then, no new measles exposures have been identified within the Northern Health region.

Measles symptoms include a rash that starts on the face or neck before spreading across the torso; red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to the light; coughing; runny nose; and fever.

According to the BCCDC, measles is an extremely serious disease, with one in 10 people who contract the virus being hospitalized. It can also lead to other health complications like pneumonia and, in some cases, it can be fatal.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to stay at home and contact their primary care provider to book a test for measles.

To view the full case count update, look below.