Health officials are warning of a new case of measles in the Lower Mainland – and passengers who travelled through Vancouver International Airport on Feb. 11 are warned they may have been exposed.
Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health issued a press release on Saturday, Feb. 15 warning of a confirmed case of measles that was acquired by a resident of Fraser Health who travelled to Southeast Asia.
Anyone who was on Air Canada Flight 66, arriving in Vancouver on Tuesday, Feb. 11, may have been exposed. Those who spent time in the international arrivals area at YVR, including Customs or baggage claim, between 7 and 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday are also at risk.
Health officials note that measles is a "highly infectious" disease that travels by airborne spread.
Most people in Canada will be immune to measles because of prior immunizations or natural infection, the health alert notes.
Those who are at risk are those who have never had measles and those who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine.
What to do if you may have been exposed to measles
For those who aren't fully protected against measles and who may have been exposed, public health officials are recommending the following:
• If you were born in 1970 or later and have not had two doses of measles vaccine, you should get a booster dose of measles vaccine. It is most effective if received within three days of being exposed but can still be received after that. Measles vaccine is provided free of charge.
• Certain people should not get the measles vaccine. These include babies less than six months of age, pregnant people, and people with certain immune conditions. If you, or your child, are in one of these groups, please call your local public health unit as soon as possible — no later than six days after being exposed. You may be advised that you, or your child, receive a medication that can prevent measles disease. This is also provided free of charge.
• For Fraser Health residents, call the closest public health unit listed below.
• VCH Communicable Disease: 604-675-390 or 1-855-675-3900
Where to get measles vaccine in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Free measles vaccine is available at the following locations to those exposed who are at risk of getting measles:
- Vancouver Coastal Health:
- A list of local pharmacies (call for weekend hours) or VCH Public Health Units (open weekdays) is available at www.vch.ca/en/health-topics/measles.
- Fraser Health:
People who have been exposed should monitor for any symptoms of measles that develop up to three weeks after being exposed. Symptoms of measles include fever, dry cough, runny nose, and red eyes; followed a few days later by a rash that starts at the hairline and spreads rapidly down to the rest of the body.
If you develop symptoms of measles, you are asked to contact your health-care provider before you visit them so they can take precautions to prevent spreading measles to others.
The measles vaccine is provided free at public health units and certain family doctors and walk-in clinics. Pharmacists can immunize adults and children over five years old. Please call ahead to ensure vaccine is available at your preferred location.
More information about measles and immunization
For general information about measles visit www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/measles
For information on accessing your immunization history visit https://immunizebc.ca/immunization-basics/immunization-records
