Two newly reported exposure sites have been identified in Fort St. John by Northern Health, which is advising residents to watch for symptoms.
The first was at Evangelical Mission Church on 89 Avenue on Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. An additional exposure was reported at the Subway sandwich shop on Alaska Road South on Feb. 23 from noon to 2:30 p.m.
“If you have been exposed monitor for symptoms of measles,” the health authority said. Early symptoms of the virus tend to set in seven to 21 days after infection, and three to seven days before a red, itchy rash appears.
“Initial symptoms may include: fever, cough, runny nose, (and) red, watery eyes,” as per the Public Health Agency of Canada. “Most people recover from measles within two to three weeks.”
After testing positive, a person is considered an active carrier for up to ten days, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, who releases weekly measles updates. In the last update for Thursday, Feb. 26, 319 confirmed instances were reported in the northeast since the beginning of 2025. This number has been stagnant for the most part this year, with the first update of 2026 reporting 305 confirmed cases.
No active cases of measles were said to be in the region in the centre’s latest update.
Anyone who was at the church on 89 Avenue or Subway is being asked to monitor for symptoms. If any should appear, people should contact the clinic they plan to be tested at ahead of time, so staff has time to prepare the facility and minimize the spread of this highly contagious disease.
The best protection against measles, according to Northern Health and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, is vaccination. For near-complete protection from the virus, both doses of a measles-mumps-rubella-containing vaccine should be administered.
