Chief medical officer says vaccination uptake to thank for measles outbreak stabilization

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health’s chief medical health officer says measles cases in the region have stabilized, and immunizations are partially responsible. 

In an interview with Energeticcity.ca, Northern Health’s chief medical health officer Dr. Jong Kim explained the health authority has been monitoring the rate of measles in the region and responding accordingly. 

Measles is a serious virus which can lead to further health complications including pneumonia, ear infections and brain swelling, and is more dangerous for those who are vulnerable, like infants. 

“We’re seeing in general less than 10 cases per week, and that’s been holding in the last several weeks and most of the new cases continue to be in the northeast,” Dr. Kim said. 

Dr. Kim explained, with school returning after the summer holidays, Northern Health had anticipated a significant increase in cases, but this has apparently not occurred. 

According to the BC Centre for Disease Control’s latest update, there have been 311 confirmed cases and 20 probable cases across the province this year. 

Of those, approximately 72 per cent – or 238 cases – were reported by Northern Health, and 225 of those were discovered in northeast B.C. 

Northern Health has also recently issued several potential measles exposure locations in Fort St. John for the last week of October. 

Dr. Kim explained Northern Health has continued to support healthcare workers and encourage them to get immunized for respiratory illnesses.

He says the health authority has also put in place enhanced measures to ensure emergency rooms are protected from potential measles exposures, but did not elaborate on what that entails.

“[Vaccines lead to] a protected community,” Dr. Kim said. 

“We’ve seen that measles moves a lot slower, and a lot of times [it] actually stops spreading because so many of us are immunized in the community.” 

Dr. Kim emphasized the health authority’s appreciation to the public for getting their vaccinations and being patient when accessing medical services. 

“I really hope we can continue to work together as a community, stay healthy and support [our] children,” Dr. Kim stated. 

Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that spreads through droplets released on the breath of an infected person when coughing, sneezing or breathing. 

Residents who believe they may have been exposed to measles are advised to watch for symptoms, and – in the event they appear – are asked to seek testing through their primary care provider.