One active case of measles remains in Northern Health, as the total number of confirmed, inactive cases also increased by one case, compared to the report from three days ago.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control published their bi-weekly update on the state of the eliminated disease that is seeing a resurgence across North America. The province is no exception, with a total of 197 confirmed, and 17 probable, cases this year.
143 of the confirmed cases, and 16 of the probable, can be attributed to Northern Health, who lead the province in the number of cases – the second-most cases in the province were in the Fraser Health Authority, who saw 17 confirmed and probable cases out of the 1.9 million residents in their coverage zone.
The single, active measles case in Northern Health is not new. According to B.C.’s disease control centre, the active carrier was confirmed to have the highly contagious disease at some point from August 3 to 9.
People who think they have measles may be subject to a lab test, and the process is like the all-too-familiar COVID-19 at home tests, except people must see a medical professional to be tested for measles. The healthcare worker will swab their nose or throat and check for viral detection, or alternatively, blood and urine tests can be performed to check for the disease.
Others may not require testing if they were in close-enough proximity to someone who was already confirmed to be actively carrying the virus.
