Interior Health (IH) reports it has confirmed additional measles cases in the B.C. Interior.

Locations with identified cases include Nelson, Kamloops, Kelowna and Salmon Arm areas.

IH is following up directly with individuals who are known to have been exposed to the cases as part of normal contact tracing.

For a full list of exposure locations across B.C., please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website. This will be updated with any possible exposures for flights and airports, as well as potential exposures at BC Ferries.

Measles general information:

Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread. Most people in Canada will be immune to measles due to prior immunization or previous infection.

Individuals exposed to the measles virus should monitor for symptoms that may develop up to three weeks after being exposed. These include fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes; followed a few days later by a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads rapidly down to the rest of the body.

If you develop symptoms of measles, please call 811 for an initial assessment. If you need immediate medical attention, please wear a mask when visiting a health-care facility or clinic or ask for a mask when you arrive to help prevent spreading measles to others.

People who are at risk of getting measles are:

• Those who have never had measles disease, and
• Those who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine on or after 12 months of age.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against measles is to ensure vaccinations are up to date.

The risk of getting measles for individuals who have received two doses of the measles vaccine is extremely low. Two doses of measles vaccine provide almost 100% protection and last a lifetime.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated against measles do not need to seek testing unless specifically directed for testing by IH public health or if they have symptoms of measles.

The measles vaccine is free in B.C. You can get the vaccine at your local community health centre.

Community Pharmacists in B.C. are able to immunize children as young as four years of age. However, it is important to call the pharmacy to book an appointment as some pharmacies do not provide immunizations for young children.

If you have not had two doses, or you are unsure, you should get vaccinated. It is safe and effective.

For people who are not fully protected against measles and may have been exposed, we recommend:

• If you were born in 1970 or later and have not had two doses of measles vaccine, you should get a booster dose of measles vaccine. It is most effective if received within three days of being exposed but still can be received after that.
• Certain people should not get the measles vaccine. These include babies less than six months of age, pregnant people, and people with certain immune conditions. If you, or your child, are in one of these groups, please call your local Public Health team as soon as possible and no later than six days after being exposed. You may be advised that you, or your child, receive a medication that can prevent measles disease. This is also provided free of charge.

If you may have been exposed and have not been vaccinated against measles or are unsure, are immunocompromised, have an exposed child under one year of age, or are pregnant, please call 1-855-549-6364 and leave a message. The IH communicable disease team will review your vaccine history, determine your immunity to measles, and provide recommendations.

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Interior Health

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