BCCDC reports 12 new measles cases in northeast B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reporting a spike in newly confirmed measles cases, all of which were reported in northeast B.C.

According to the latest case count update from the BCCDC, 12 new cases have been confirmed, all in the northeast, bringing the total count for the region up to 225 compared to 213 on October 23rd.

That brings the confirmed case count in the Northern Health coverage area up to 238, and that count across the province up to 311. The northeast is responsible for roughly 72 per cent of all confirmed measles cases in the province this year.

The number of probable cases remains unchanged at 20 — 19 in the northeast and one more in the Okanagan region. That means the total case count in B.C. could be as high as 331.

There are also currently two active cases of measles in B.C., both in the northeast. Cases are considered active for the first 10 days after symptoms begin to manifest, the first four days after a rash manifests or the first 10 days after an asymptomatic case is confirmed.

The aforementioned rash usually begins on the face and neck before spreading across the torso. Other symptoms include a cough, fever, inflamed red eyes that are sensitive to the light and a runny nose.

Measles spreads through the air when infected people breathe, cough or sneeze. It can also survive in water droplets in the air for several hours. People who are completely unvaccinated against the disease, including extremely young children, are at the greatest risk of infection.

According to the BCCDC, measles is an extremely serious disease that can cause health complications like swelling of the brain and pneumonia. Nearly 10 per cent of all people who contract measles end up hospitalized, and in some cases it can be fatal.

Northern Health reported two new measles exposure incidents in the northeast in a Facebook post the morning of Thursday, October 30th. Both incidents occurred in the Dawson Creek and District Hospital’s emergency room and waiting area.

Anyone who believes they’ve been exposed to measles or is experiencing symptoms is urged to contact their primary care provider to book a test for the virus.

To view the full case count update, look below.