Public health is warning visitors of the Fort St John Hospital that they may have been exposed to the measles if they were in the emergency department on August 18.
The exposure period opened at 1:50 on Monday afternoon and closed at 4:20 on the same day, with people who were in the emergency department are being asked by Northern Health to monitor for symptoms, which can begin to appear up to three weeks after exposure, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
B.C.’s disease control hub said symptoms may include red, irritated eyes, cough, fever, and a runny nose. These milder symptoms will begin a few days before the virus’ namesake rash appears on the face and neck, before spreading downwards.
Immunization, according to Northern Health, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, and most other public health agencies, is the most effective form of protection against measles.
Of the 197 confirmed cases provincially, the centre reported 174 patients were not immunized against the highly contagious illness, seven people only received one dose of the MMR vaccine, and five patients were fully immunized.
People who have been exposed, and are not currently immune, may be offered the Health Canada-approved vaccine to prevent infection, according to the provincial centre, who said there is no formal treatment plan for patients with measles. Instead, the centre said doctors focus on managing symptoms or complications.
Anyone presenting symptoms should seek medical attention to confirm if their suspicions are correct, but Northern Health asked patients to call medical centres ahead of time instead of walking in. Measles is highly contagious, and a pre-visit call ensures staff has time to prepare.
Confirmed and active carriers of the disease should stay home, isolated, for four days after the rash appears. To prevent continuing its spread through the northeast, active carriers are also asked to wash their hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve, and not share kisses, or smokes, with anyone until they are no longer contagious – otherwise the active carrier is at risk of sharing much more than a moment.
