Additional measles case detected in B.C.‘s Lower Mainland: officials

A second case of measles linked to a group that travelled to Southeast Asia has been identified in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, according to health officials.

The infected person lives in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and was on Air Canada Flight 66, which arrived at YVR on Feb. 11, said a statement from the health authority on Wednesday. The person was travelling in the same “party” as a Fraser Health region resident in whom measles was detected over the weekend.

People who were on the flight or who were in the international arrivals area of Vancouver’s airport between 7 and 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 11 may have been exposed, the notification from health officials said.

“There were no other public exposures, and close contacts are being followed up individually by public health,” it continued,

“There have been no other recent cases in B.C. and no local transmission, however there has been a recent increase in measles activity in the U.S, in other parts of Canada and around the world. Most cases occur in unimmunized people, including international visitors, who have traveled overseas.”

Symptoms of measles include fever, a dry cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that starts on a patient’s head and spreads over their body.

More information about measles, including what to do if exposed or experiencing symptoms, is available online.