Measles counts stall with no new confirmed cases in B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — For the first time in weeks, there are no new measles cases in B.C. 

The latest case count update from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) shows 265 confirmed cases of measles across the province so far this year, the same number reported on Monday, September 15th.

Of those cases, 193 — roughly 73 per cent — were identified in the Northern Health region. 

The number of probable cases also remains unchanged at 17, 16 of which were reported by Northern Health.

However, unlike on Monday, the number of active cases in the province now sits at zero, down from four.

Cases are considered active for the first 10 days after symptoms manifest, the first four days after a rash manifests or the first 10 days after being confirmed if the case is asymptomatic.

Symptoms of measles include a runny nose, cough, fever and red, inflamed eyes that are sensitive to light. A rash also typically develops on the face and neck before spreading across the rest of the torso.

According to the BCCDC, measles is a very serious condition: one in 10 people who contract the virus end up hospitalized and it can lead to serious health complications like pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.

Late last month, Northern Health identified a potential measles exposure incident at the Fort St. John Hospital’s emergency department between 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 28th and 1 a.m. on Friday, August 29th.

As of Thursday, September 18th, no new exposure incidents have been identified in the region since.

Anyone experiencing measles symptoms is urged to contact their primary care provider to book a test.

To view the full case count update, look below.