The B.C. Centre for Disease Control announced two active cases of measles, and they are both in Northern Health, these updated numbers reflect all cases reported before 7 a.m. on July 24.
There were 90 confirmed cases and 16 probable cases this year in the health authority, which subdivides into three health service delivery areas due to the vastness of its coverage.
Provincially, 130 confirmed cases and 16 probable cases of the disease were reported to the B.C.C.D.C. – all the latter’s cases came from the north.
Cases are considered active by the centre if they are confirmed by a lab test or if it is likely someone caught measles through the chain of infection from someone with a confirmed case.
Measles, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “is spread through the air and by contact with respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth,” meaning droplets from someone spitting or a runny nose, which is a symptom of the virus.
Other symptoms can include fever, cough, and small white spots on the inside of the mouth – these all set in before the red and itchy rash, which serves as the measles’ namesake, appears.
To prevent catching the illness and slow down the summertime spread of the once-eliminated disease in B.C., Northern Health recommends residents who are eligible receive both doses of the measles immunization.
Anyone who believes they may have the disease is urged to contact their local health unit, as the regional health authority said getting the vaccine within three days of exposure can prevent illness.
If three days have passed, Northern Health advised exposed residents to stay home. People who must go out are asked to avoid healthcare settings, day cares, or anywhere pregnant women or infants under one-year old, who are too young for the vaccine, may frequent, for 21 days.
To access in-person healthcare, people with measles must call in advance so staff can prepare the facility.
