One active case and two newly confirmed inactive cases of measles were reported in this part of the province.
These were the only new cases reported in B.C., where there have been 429 confirmed measles cases since 2025.
The active case is the first one in the northeast since January, according to the weekly updates provided by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control – who last reported an active case in the region on Jan. 29. Inactive cases also remained steady for much of last month, with one newly confirmed inactive case and three probable carriers reported in February.
In total, the northeast saw 348 cases since the start of last year – with 321 being confirmed by testing or disease tracking, and the remaining 27 being probable.
Within Northern Health, where most measles cases occurred, the northeast is responsible for almost 93 per cent of the total 375 confirmed cases. These additional cases come after the healthcare provider announced two measles exposure sites in Fort St John in late February.
Only one other health authority, Fraser Health, has reported measles cases to the centre this year.
“Case counts only capture a subset of actual cases as some people may not be presenting for diagnosis and health care support,” said the provincial disease centre.
Complications from measles may arise if the illness is left untreated. Common complications include ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhea, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Severe complications can include respiratory failure or inflammation and swelling of the brain. Death is also possible, but no measles-related deaths have been reported to the B.C. CDC, it said.
People who believe they are presenting symptoms of the measles, which may include watery eyes, fever, and an itchy rash, should safely seek medical attention, said the federal health agency.
“Before going to a health care facility, contact the office ahead of time to let them know that you might have measles … You should also wear a well-fitting respirator (like an N95) to reduce the risk of spreading measles. If a respirator is unavailable, you can also wear a well-fitting medical mask,” it explained.
Immunity from the highly contagious virus is possible, according to the agency. It requires receiving two doses of a measles-mumps-rubella containing vaccine.
